Labor Day is this coming Monday, September 1. If you work for a corporation or even a small company in the United States you will most likely have the day off with pay - unless you work for a retailer or restaurant chain and then you will be expected to work. Sometimes you will be offered additional pay for working a holiday, but not always. If you are self-employed you may take the day off but you typically only make money when you are working.

Do you know the history of this holiday and why we celebrate it by 'taking a day off work'?

It might surprise you to learn that it originated in Canada! Yes, our neighbors to the north are responsible for inspiring United States labor workers to campaign for a day of recognition and celebration of a working class culture often referred to as blue  collar workers.

Over the last several decades, the reason we celebrate Labor Day has become lost in all the hype about end of summer sales, back to school sales, beginning of the football season, and so many other distractions. In fact, Labor Day has become the second highest grossing sales periods for retailers just behind the Christmas holiday season.

Please take some time to reflect on the benefits and advantages we now experience due to our Great, Great and sometimes Great Grandfathers and Grandmothers who fought and campaigned hard for us in the late 1800's.