Holidays and Seasons > Labor Day Videos

For most people, having a job is crucial to living a decent life. With a proper source of income, one can put a roof over his head, pay his bills, and feed himself and his family. Some jobs pay highly enough that it allows people to drive nice cars and have big, fancy houses. However, some jobs don’t pay enough to meet even basic needs.

Labor Day serves as a reminder for those whose jobs are the latter. Those who are overworked yet underpaid become the center of attention every first Monday of September. The event celebrates what workers like them have achieved and how much they have contributed to the economy.

This holiday had its roots in the movement that pushed for an eight-hour workday. Back then, working hours were longer, so people had less time for other activities that they enjoy. The idea of an eight-hour workday is to balance the lives of workers: eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation, and eight hours of rest. In effect, each 24-hour day is cut into three equal parts, instead of work always having the biggest slice of the pie.

For this reason, Labor Day is also a day when labor unions hold their protests and make their requests known, such as pay raises, guaranteed healthcare, paid leaves, and many other concerns. Many employees gather round and take to the streets to let the public hear their sentiments. It’s their way of celebrating the holiday.

For others though, Labor Day is the perfect day to spend with the family. Since there is no work for most people this day, they are free to have all sorts of fun. Picnics, road trips, and the like are common during this day, especially since it’s a Monday. Most people take advantage of the three-day weekend to get away from the hustle and grind for a while.