Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Labor Day USA

A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
All donations are tax deductible
Copyright © 1997 - 2009

Labor Day is observed annually in America on the first Monday of September. We, as a nation, pay tribute on this day to those who have made a valuable contribution to this nation's strength, freedom, and leadership.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, l883. American labor unions conceived the observance of Labor Day. In 1894 President Grover Cleveland reluctantly signed legislation sanctioning the holiday. This was shepherded through Congress amid labor unrest in an attempt to appease the nation's workers following an Ameircan Railway Union organized strike at the Pullman company, which President Cleveland declared a federal crime. It was election year. President Cleveland's attempt to placate American workers failed; he was not reelected. The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio and television. How we observe Labor Day now, for most people, is recognition of the end of summer and vacations, the beginning of school, and an increase in road traffic. Destinations include beaches, mountains, lakes, themeparks -enjoying boating, picnics, fireworks, sports, reunions, and another day off from work. Happy Labor Day, USA! Sources: PBS Online US DOL LABOR DAY LINKS: Inside an American Factory AFL-CIO Federal Labor Relations Authority U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Democracy, Human Rights and Labor National Labor Relations Board National Labor Committee US Dept of Labor Labor Day Greeting Cards Hanger and Blinkies Provided by: Your donation goes to the expenses for our feral cat colony and foster cats and dogs' food, upkeep, and medical care. 100% of all donations go to the animals because there are no salaries or administrative fees. Thank you for your support! Visit our message board for serious information gathering and decimination regarding animal health, advocacy, and rescue - cats, dogs, wildlife, and so much more. You will have to register, but it's FREE. We hope you will join us. | Table of Contents | HOME |