By: Meghan Coyle, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, mtc5382@psu.edu
Labor Day is typically associated with the end of summer, and, for some, that means one last trip to the beach, a long weekend, or just a day off from work or school to relax. Although many enjoy the day off relaxing or soaking up the sun, it’s important to know the historical significance and reason why Americans have off on Labor Day.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor website, “The first government recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886.” The person who originated the idea isn’t entirely known, and, according to history.com, “Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union…” The first official celebration of Labor Day was with a parade in New York City on September 5, 1882, which was a Tuesday that year.
Now, in 2018, 136 years after that first celebration of Labor Day, is Labor Day celebrated differently?
The U.S. Department of Labor website states that, “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
Some schools give students a day off on Labor Day, as was the case with Penn State Brandywine.
Penn State Brandywine students were treated to a day off from school for Labor Day, giving them a three-day weekend. Sam Shanahan, a human development and family studies (HDFS) major spent her long weekend doing a wide variety of things.
She said, “Friday night, I did homework. Saturday was fun. I chilled for the first half of the day, walked my dog and went to the Phillies game. That (the Phillies game) was the highlight of my weekend. Sunday, I went to the gym. Monday (Labor Day), I played with my cockapoo.”
There are plenty of ways to spend a long weekend, but it was also nice for students to just have the day off from classes.
Brandywine student Tahjir Ellis spent his Labor Day where most people aspire to spend their Labor Day, besides the beach, and said, “I went to a barbecue.”
History.com lists parades, picnics, barbecues and fireworks displays as some of the many ways Americans celebrate Labor Day each year. Clearly, there are many ways to celebrate Labor Day and the long weekend that often comes with it, but it’s also important to keep in mind the real reason behind the holiday: to honor American workers’ achievements.