(we’ll be on vacation until September 8 – please do what you can to manage your Bizpain without us until then.)

With so many people out of work and even more looking for work and those working stressed out about losing their jobs and not being able to “stick it to the man,” Labor Day 2010 will be quiet. Stores will offer sales and air-conditioning, there will be grills and parties, but in general, there will be little to celebrate in the United States.

Why do we celebrate Labor Day?

In recognition of workers everywhere, employers agree to a national holiday to keep us quiet. Labor Day to workers is what Mother’s Day is to Mothers. If we don’t celebrate it, workers will get mad and don’t get me started on what working mothers will do.

What is Labor Day?

The first one in the United States was in New York City on September 5, 1882 and it became law in 1894 on the heels of the deaths of scores of workers at the hands of US Military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike.

President Cleveland was worried that aligning the US Labor Day with existing May Day (aligned with the Haymarket Affair) would stir up emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair or riot that happened in 1886 in support of striking workers. Someone threw a bomb at police as they dispersed a public meeting, followed by gunfire and the death of at least eight police officers and an unknown (uncounted) number of civilians. An interesting eight anarchists were tried and put to death with one of them committing suicide in prison.

The Haymarket Affair is considered an influence on May Day observances for workers, May Day and Labor Day being held too close together spelled fear of uprising, hence Labor Day (has nothing to do with women giving birth, although many people are born on Labor Day each year).

We’re taking a holiday for several days.

Have the best holiday you can!

Peace!