HAPPY LABOR DAY
September 2nd, 2006
Happy Labor Day! The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. It was the Central Labor Union that urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Today, in 2006 Labor Day is a holiday we all look forward to usually because we get the day off of work! It is ironic that the holiday itself celebrates the hard-working American and we are given time off to “not” work hard on that day!
As Americans we do enjoy our days off however, “We Work Hard and We Play Hard!” For example, why are you reading this article? Some of you are currently employed and searching for your next career move. A majority of you are probably conducting a full time job search. Regardless of where you are today, most likely at one point in your life you were gainfully and successfully employed. We as Americans are given so many freedoms. One of those free choices is what career we want to pursue. We also have the flexibility to change our minds and pursue something totally different…as many times as we want!
This Labor Day I will ask you to not only enjoy your “day off,” but also to reflect back on where this holiday originated and how far it has come. The meaning of Labor Day is just one reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a country that enables us to have so many opportunities and so many freedoms!
HAPPY LABOR DAY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC