Laboring

I returned last night from a Labor Day trip to Austin. Boyfriend and I went to visit a friend of his from school and friends of mine from law school (hello Meredith!). It was a delightful trip and such a nice little 36 hour excursion. Part of our trip saw us eating at the Oasis perched above beautiful Lake Travis, which started me thinking... Labor Day has turned into a day for all to enjoy the last moments of summer with friends and family, usually on a lake. I see absolutely no harm in it, but I just don't see how it honors the "laborers" all that much. In fact, while watching the ski boats pass below, it occurred to me that I don't even know why we celebrate Labor Day or what the day is supposed to memorialize. So, being the curious gal that I am, I looked it up.

The reason I didn't know why we celebrate Labor Day is because there really isn't a reason we celebrate the day. Interesting... According to the Department of Labor:

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation." 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.

So, for all of us who enjoy the day on the lake (or watching those on the lake), good for us! We are laborers and have earned one day to celebrate our contributions to the country! I hope this public service announcement has been as interesting for you as it has been for me.