By Bill Tozzi, Valencia Community Contributor
Labor Day, sometimes called the end of summer, is the first Monday in September. According to the Department of Labor, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
President Grover Cleveland signed it into law as a national holiday in June 1894.
Labor Day used to mean the beginning of the school year, but, sadly, this is no longer the case since many school districts now have much earlier starts.
If you’re fashion conscious, it is known as the last day you are “allowed” to wear white.
It’s somewhat an out-of-the-ordinary holiday, with no rituals or traditions other than barbecuing and shopping sales.
Today, Labor Day no longer represents its original intent of reducing working hours and uniting union workers, which were relevant concerns in the late 1800s, when it was created. Then, the work week for factory workers was 60 hours.
Although the issue of long working hours seemed to have been resolved, it appears to be raising its head again. This time it’s for those proficient workers who are always connected to work. Some of them might be proposing to initiate their own “Labor Day”, where they can shut off their phones, computers, and electronic devices. This way they’ll have a day off to enjoy their lives, doing what they want, without constant interruption.
