Happy Labor Day from The Shannon Edwards Team

Labor Day is just around the corner. We're looking forward to spending some quality time with our friends and family and letting the gas grill do some labor for a change! And with Hurricane Earl out of the way, it looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend!

Have you ever wondered how we came to celebrate a holiday with the odd name of Labor Day? Someone always asks, “Why is it called Labor Day when nobody labors on that day?”

While there is some disagreement regarding the original founder of Labor Day, we know that the first Labor Day parade was held by the Central Labor Union, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Common laborers were lobbying for recognition and appreciation for their long days and hard work (back then they received little pay and even less thanks). Over the next decade unions in other states began to adopt the day as a day of celebration and recognition of the contributions of the common laborer. Finally on June 28, 1894, Congress declared the first Monday in September a legal holiday.

For us Labor Day brings parades, festivals, speeches, and picnics. Just as Memorial Day heralds the beginning of summer vacations, to most Americans Labor Day signals the waning of summer.

When this Labor Day rolls around, don't be a workaholic! Take a well deserved rest and enjoy your family! We hope you all have a fun and safe Labor Day!