PUBLIC NOTICE – MEADE COUNTY COURT HOUSE CLOSED – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
The Meade County Court House will be closed Monday, September 2th, 2024 in observance of Labor Day. Labor Day marks the day in 1894 when Congress declared the first Monday in September a national holiday to honor the nation’s workers and their contributions to the well-being of the country. Labor Day’s roots date back to the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.
Labor Day in the 2020s
Labor Day weekend is now a time of barbecues, getaways, and summer clearance sales but worker-oriented Labor Day parades and festivities still abound in dozens of cities across the U.S. The faces in photos of those parades include all colors and ethnicities because unions today are more diverse than ever before.
Many Labor Day parades were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022 but they resumed in many cities in 2022.
Labor leaders who focus on bread-and-butter issues rather than on broad social change continue to dominate the AFL-CIO and other unions. Unions also attempt to help their members by endorsing political candidates, supporting political action committees, and taking stands on civil rights and worker safety issues.
Union membership is on the rise after decades of decline, driven in part by the impact of the pandemic on workers, as well as a tight labor market in 2022.15 Employees at some Amazon, Starbucks, and Apple facilities and stores are among those who have successfully organized unions recently, seeking better pay and working conditions.
What Is Labor Day?
Labor Day is a federal and national holiday in the U.S. that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of American workers. It’s observed on the first Monday in September. The roots of Labor Day date back to the decades following the Civil War when workers took part in strikes and rallies to demand shorter workdays and better working conditions.
When Did Labor Day Become a Federal Holiday?
Labor Day was declared a national holiday in 1894. It was already an official holiday in 24 states by the time it became a federal holiday.
What Is the Difference Between a Federal Holiday and a National Holiday?
A federal holiday is a paid day off for American employees regardless of whether they recognize the idea or concept behind the day. The religious holiday of Christmas is a federal holiday. A national holiday is one that’s observed by Americans regardless of their religion or other beliefs. Labor Day is considered to be both a national holiday and a federal holiday.
How Is Labor Day Observed?
Parades and other festivities still take place to honor workers but the long Labor Day weekend represents the unofficial end of the summer for many.
