What do you really know about Labor Day? I mean, yeah, we get a three day weekend, but other than that, what is Labor Day?

Let's start at the beginning -- The first U.S. Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, which is interesting because the federal holiday is now always celebrated on the first Monday in September. The whole "making Labor Day the first Monday in September" thing didn't happen until 1894.

What is Labor Day? What are we celebrating? According to Forbes the holiday is celebrating you, me and everyone out their busting their butt everyday aka the "the 155 million men and women who are in the U.S. workforce." So, do something today that celebrates all of your contributions and achievements through out the year. You've worked for it, literally.

Let's get the Labor Day party started with some fun Labor Day facts, because why not?

  • Traditionally people did not wear white after Labor Day because it "marked the end of summer", but I say wear what you want! It's still hot outside after Labor Day, so rock that white if you want.
  • Football!! Y'all probably view the beginning of September as the start of football season and you're right, many teams play their first game of the year during Labor Day weekend.
  • Oregon was the first state to celebrate Labor Day as a legal holiday in 1887. Shout out to the people of Oregon!
  • I know we all complain about how much we work, but Americans worked 12-hour days seven days a week during the 19th century. It wasn't until 1916 that the Adamson Act was passed and an eight hour work day was established.
  • As much as The U.S. likes to take credit for everything awesome, we might not actually be able to take credit for Labor Day. Our Northern neighbors, that's right Canada, is said to have originated the idea in 1872 of hosting a day honoring the labor movement.

Now that you are all sorts of educated on the in's and out's of Labor Day, go enjoy yourself! You've work hard 52 weeks a year and deserve a labor-less Labor Day.

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