LABOR DAY

Labor Day, día del trabajo, es un día festivo federal que se celebra en Estados Unidos el primer lunes de septiembre. Tiene su origen en un desfile celebrado el 5 de septiembre de 1882 en Nueva York organizado por los Noble Orden de los Caballeros del Trabajo (Knights of Labor). Inspirados en un evento anual similar realizado en Toronto (Canadá). En 1884 se realizó otro desfile y los Knights of Labor decidieron hacerlo anualmente.

Otras organizaciones, mayoritariamente las afiliadas a la Primera Internacional, preferían el 1 de mayo, fecha que rememora el inicio en 1886 de una huelga reivindicativa de la jornada laboral de ocho horas y que había llevado a la Revuelta de Haymarket de Chicago, tres días después, el 4 de mayo. El presidente Grover Cleveland creyó que el feriado del 1 de mayo seria una oportunidad para desórdenes. Por tanto, temiendo que reforzara el movimiento socialista, rápidamente en 1887 dio su apoyo a la posición de los Knights of Labor y su fecha para el día del Trabajo.

Desde entonces a diferencia de la mayoría de los países, Estados Unidos celebra el día del trabajo en una fecha distinta.

El revolucionario cubano Julio Antonio Mella criticó este Labor Day y lo calificó como “día de la sumisión del trabajador”.

Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.

Labor Day is a day of rest or the last chance for many people to go on trips before the summer ends. For students, it is the last chance to organize parties before school starts again. In some neighborhoods, people organize fireworks displays, barbecues and public arts or sports events. The football season starts on or around Labor Day and many teams play their first game of the year during Labor Day weekend.

May 1 is Lei Day in Hawaii, where celebrations include lei-making competitions, concerts, as well as giving and receiving leis to friends and family.

Labor Day is a federal holiday. All Government offices, schools and organizations and many businesses are closed. Some public celebrations, such as fireworks displays, picnics and barbecues, are organized, but they are usually low key events. For many teams, it is the start of the football season. As it is the last chance for many people to take summer trips, there may be some congestion on highways and at airports. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables.

The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.