Monday, September 6, 2010

Light The Fire And Party On

Today is Labor Day.
Today is a paid holiday for some, a regular work day for others.
This from Wikipedia:
The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882 in New York City, by the Central Labor Union of New York, the nation's first integrated major trade union. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of United States military and the United States Marshals during the Pullman Strike when President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of NY and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day  because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair,  for which it had been observed to commemorate. All 50 states  have made Labor Day a state holiday. 
Here's something else to think about while you're waiting for the coals to turn white:
Thanks to Lester Aponte through Jeannette Bronson for reminding us that as we celebrate Labor Day it is important to remember that in twenty-nine states it is still legal to fire someone solely because of sexual orientation.  Congress must pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Law.
Food for thought on this holiday of traditional commemoration.

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