Ever wonder where Labor Day came from?
The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in Boston by the Central Labor Union, which was the nation's first integrated major trade union. In 1894, several workers were killed by the US military and US marshals during the Pullman Strike (a nationwide strike which embattled railroad workers against the railroad companies). Pres. Cleveland made it a priority to put an end to the strike and increase labor relations, and Congress agreed by the proposal of a federal holiday. Just six days after the end of the strike, Congress unanimously voted in the holiday.
Labor Day is celebrated as the first Monday in September, and is symbolic of the end of summer: no more white for women, beginning of the NFL and college football seasons, the Southern 500 in Darlington was held on Labor Day from 1950-1983 (from 1984-2004, it was held on the weekend), and schools that started summer vacation mid-June will return to session near Labor Day.
Bet you didn't know that!
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