Why do they call it 'Labor Day'?

So, did you have a great Labor Day?

Get lots of neat presents? Oh wait, that’s Christmas. Eat lots of food and watch football all day? Never mind, that’s Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Dress up like a ghost or ghoul or chase a mythical rabbit in search for candy? Oh yeah, that’s Halloween and Easter. Well, surely you blew something up, or did something otherwise patriotic. I forgot, that’s Independence and Memorial Day.

Basically, when you get right down to it, Labor Day doesn’t have much going for it.

Some holidays have their rituals, like dressing up at Halloween or fireworks at the fourth. Others have their sports, like pro football on Thanksgiving and college bowls on New Year’s Day. Others have their religious ties, Christmas, and Easter, while some holidays have distinct historical significance, like Memorial Day, President’s Day, or Veteran’s Days.

Most Americans know why we have those holidays, what they are commemorating, and what they are supposed to do.

Labor Day though? Not so much.

As for the history, it definitely is easy to understand why its been forgotten over the years, because quite frankly, it’s kinda boring.

Basically, during the unionization of the newly-industrialized American workforce in the 19th century, on the first Monday in September in New York City in 1882, 20,000 workers marched in a parade on Broadway demanding eight-hour work days.

These massive parades occurred throughout more and more of the American cities each year on the first Monday of September, until in 1894, Congress made it a federal holiday.

And if you are curious about the date, it was strategically chosen as a midway point between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

In the 21st century, Labor Day is more known for providing one last chance at a taste of summer. One last chance to go camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, or whatever you want to do before fall and then winter arrives.

A few communities still have parades, but I’d wager 80 percent of the people in those parades have no idea of the historical significance of their actions.

While I mentioned other federal holidays are noted for their rituals, historical significance, or associated sports, nearly all have a mascot.

New Year’s, a baby, or father time. Easter, the cross for the Christians and a giant Rabbit for the pagans. Memorial Day, a solider. Independence Day, Uncle Sam. Thanksgiving, a turkey. And Christmas has Jesus Christ for the Christians again, and St. Nick for everyone else.

Again, Labor Day has no mascot. No figure. No endorsee.

So what, or who, would be appropriate? Well, in homage to its roots, I vote for the most famous union figure of all time: Jimmy Hoffa.

We have other federal holidays for specific people, like Christopher Columbus and Martin Luther King Jr., why not one for Jimmy? I know he has some, um, questionable behavior in his past, but surely it can’t be any worse than the things Columbus was accused.

At least Labor Day would then have an identity.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express. He can be emailed at publisher@redoakexpress.com