10 Interesting Facts about Labor Day

Sep 7, 2009 by Dan Taylor    12 Comments    Posted under: News

Happy Labor Day to all my American readers! Living in Europe, it’s just another day, but to those under the Stars and Stripes, it’s a day off. While you’re either happy or sad to see summer come to a close, it’s customary to enjoy a picnic or barbecue on this ‘free day off’. But how much do you know about the origins of Labor Day? Here are ten interesting facts that just might help you out on Jeopardy or the next family Trivial Pursuit game night.

1. Labour Day originates from our neighbours to the north – eh?

Most Americans consider Labor Day a uniquely American experience, but in all reality, Labor Day has it’s origins in Canada. Stemming from 1870’s labor disputes in Toronto, in 1872 a parade was held in support of a strike against the 58 hour workweek. As a result, 24 union leaders who were responsible for organizing the event were arrested under anti-union laws.

2. First US Labor Day observance was in the form of a parade

The first US observance of Labor Day came in the form of a parade. Sponsored by the Central Labor Union, On September 5th, 1882 ten thousand workers paraded through New York City. This is commonly considered the first observance of Labor Day in America.

3. The 12 hour work day norm

What’s outrageous enough to spur ten thousand people to parade through NYC? A 12 hour workweek! In the late 19th century, the average working day consisted of 12 hours. Held on a Tuesday, the first Labor Day rally was held in order to gain support for the 8 hour workday.

4. Oregon first to declare Labor Day an official holiday

In February of 1887, the great state of Oregon was the first in the Union to pass law making Labor Day and officially recognized holiday.

5. Grover Cleveland makes Labor Day a national holiday

Making Labor Day an official national holiday as part of his political campaign, in 1894, President Grover Cleveland made good on his promise, and signed a law making Labor Day an officially recognized US holiday.

6. Not just in the US

Although Labor Day hails from Canada and the US, a large number of industrialized nations around the world celebrate Labor Day as a time to respect and reflect upon workers around the world. While not all celebrate it at the beginning of summer, the concept is similar, and is sometimes celebrated in combination of May Day.

7. First Waffle House opens on Labor Day

In 1955, in Avondale Estates, Georgia, the very first Waffle House opened it’s doors to the public. 25 states and 50 years later, Waffle House now counts over 1500 establishments. Yay waffles!

8. The White border

Labor Day has been traditionally the unofficial “pack up the whites” border, and was often considered a fashion faux pas, if worn post-Labor Day. This tradition has been steadily decreasing over the past decade(s), and is often now just remembered as the “something that once was.”

9. 150 million working Americans

As of 2008, there were 154.4 million people over the age of 16 in the US with jobs. Around ¾ of these workers receive paid vacation time, but an extra day off is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

10. Unofficial NFL season kickoff

99.44 percent of the time, the NFL plays it’s first official season game the Thursday after Labor Day.

So there we have it. Perhaps a few things you already knew about Labor Day, but hopefully a few that you didn’t. Have fun, enjoy today, and remember to drink responsibly.

ATMs to spit out Amazon.com gift cards

Oct 8, 2008 by Dan Taylor    8 Comments    Posted under: News, Technology

Hey kids!  It’s just about that time of the year to start thinking about….wait for it…..wait for it…..yes, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas.  Now, if you’re like my mother, Christmas is pretty much as all year thing, as I believe she starts her holiday shopping sometime around mid-june/early july.  Only a few years back did I eventually figure out why I was getting shorts and sunscreen at Christmas.  Granted, if I grew up in Southern California, this might have been appropriate, but upstate New York?

Our lovely friends over at Amazon.com have struck a deal with Better ATM Services and will be distributing Amazon.com gift cards in the US via ATM machines using ATM’s patented technology.  Better ATM Services will be distributing the cards via subcontractors Automated Cash Management Systems and APTUS Financial.

If a handy dandy Amazon.com gift card wasn’t enough, the two ISO’s will also be spitting out a complimentary $25 restaurant.com card to sweeten the deal.  Dallas Texas based Columbus Data Services will be providing the transaction processing services for the whole shebang.  Personally, an Amazon.com card that I can pick up at a 7-11 on the way home after work in that great moment of “Oh crap, I need a stocking stuffer…what do I do now?” is pretty darn sweet as it is.  Kicking in a free dinner is certainly better than a sharp stick in the eye.

“Tough economic times mean consumers will increasingly demand more value,” said Better ATM Services chief executive Todd Nuttall. “Gift cards with coupons and incentives distributed through ATMs provide just that.”

While amazon.com shoppers can certainly buy gift cards on the site itself, we all know that during the holiday season, a physical object in hand always garners more thanks than a printout of a $25 credit.  The cards coming out of said ATMs will be immediately valid and can be used the minute you arrive home (or near a wireless connection).

In wide ranging market of prepaid cards, the Boston based TowerGroup estimated that approximately $80 billion was spent on gift cards in 2006.  With Wall Street and Banks dropping like flies, it should be a VERY interesting holiday shopping season.  Who knows.  Perhaps amazon.com has hit this one right on the head with offering convenience and value tied to a site 99% of the world is familiar with and offers 99% of everything anyone could ever want.

…and I can just hear it now. “Put your hands in the air, and gimme your amazon.com gift cards.”

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