Monday, 09/07/09, Public Square

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September.

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City^. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations,” followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades.

Prairie P & Ps are all invited to fnord’s house this afternoon for interaction sans keyboards, and a cookout.

fnord

Which side are you on: What labor day is all about.