For most Americans, the first weekend in September is the unofficial end of the summer vacation season and a chance to take off work and have some fun. The history of Labor Day weekend goes back a long way and means a lot more than that, however. This year, teach your kids some fun facts about Labor Day and get involved in meaningful ways.
What is the History of Labor Day Weekend?
The first celebrations occurred in the 1880s when different states decided to recognize the importance of fair treatment for the workers who helped build the country and make it successful. ‘Labor’ referred to the unions that supported and fought for worker rights like safe conditions, fair pay, and reasonable work hours. It became a federal holiday in 1894.
What Are Some Fun Facts about Labor Day?
- New York had the first parade ever with about 10,000 workers taking off work to march through the city.
- The first Waffle House restaurant opened on Labor Day in 1955. It might be a great breakfast choice. After all, restaurant workers help fuel the country and work hard every day.
- The National Education Association is the biggest union in the USA today. That’s the one that all your kids’ teachers belong to.
- The Labor Day hurricane in 1935 was the first Category 5 storm ever recorded.
- Celebrity birthdays that fell on Labor Day include Beyonce, Keanu Reeves, Micheal Keaton, and Salma Hayek.
Fun Things to Do Labor Day Weekend
Learning is fun, but you probably want to do more than that on the long Labor Day weekend. Families often have cookouts, pool parties, or backyard gatherings to celebrate the unofficial end of summer before school starts again. Other great options exist.
Watch a Parade – Labor Day parades are common in communities all across the USA. Your town may even have one you can participate in. Listen to the marching bands and watch the cool cars, firetrucks, and other presentations go by.
Roller Skate or Ride a Bike – Get in those fun summertime activities before the school days begin. There’s no work for many adults on that Monday, so it’s the perfect time to head to the park or hit the trails with your kids. New pairs of Nattork roller skates for everyone will make it extra special.
Volunteer – Doing work together for a good cause can be a lot of fun. Labor Day is all about celebrating the hard work that went into building our country, so it makes sense to do your part to make things better. Look for park or beach clean-ups, weed a community garden, or help build anything from a new playground to a neighbor’s shed.
School days will start up soon, and this end of summer holiday gives families the perfect chance to have some outdoor fun while learning the history of Labor Day weekend. From roller skates to parades, working together to remembering those who helped forge the nation, this holiday holds a lot of promise for everyone.
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