Monday is a federal holiday in the United States, but Labor Day is much more than that.Labor Day has a rich history centered around workers. This year, it has particular meaning as hundreds of thousands Americans try to get back to work. The latest jobless rate numbers show that unemployment went up from 9.5 to 9.6 percent in August.
在美国，劳动节所在的那个周一是公共假日，不过它的含义远不止于此，它见证了工人为自己权益奋斗的过程。今年的劳动节很特别，因为成千上万的美国人会在那天工作。八月的最新失业数据表明失业率从9.5%上升到了9.6%。

1. Canadian Origin?
起源于加拿大？

While most Americans likely consider Labor Day a uniquely American experience, but in all reality, Labor Day has its 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.
很多美国人会认为劳动节是美国的传统节日，但实际上，劳动节起源于加拿大。19世纪70年代在多伦多有很多劳务纠纷，很多工人被迫长时间工作，1872年，不堪剥削的工人罢工游行，反对一周58小时的工作时间。结果，负责组织这次游行的24位带头人因违法反法律被抓。

2.Social Traditions
社会习俗

Labor Day festivities included "speeches, a picnic, an abundance of cigars... mounted in every conceivable place."
劳动节那天会有演讲、野餐、足量雪茄……而且这些随处可见，整个美国充满了节日的氛围。

3. America's 1st Labor Day
美国首个劳动节

The first Labor Day celebration in the United States can be traced to Sept. 5, 1882. It was designed as a way to appease city workers after numerous strikes and in some cases even violence.
美国的首个劳动节是在1882年的9月5号。当时，这个节日是在不计其数的罢工甚至是暴力活动后，作为抚恤身心俱疲的工人的一种措施。

4. Always On Monday
节日总是定在周一

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday of September every year since President Grover Cleveland declared that day Labor Day in 1894. The extended weekend helps Americans who choose to travel.
自从美国总统格罗弗•克利夫兰在1984年宣布劳动节成立后，每年的劳动节都在9月第1个周一庆祝了。这样周末就延长了一天，很多美国人可以借此机会去旅游放松。

5. Summer Farewell
夏季告别日

Originating as a celebration for the working class, Labor Day has also evolved into the unofficial end of the summer season and for many school districts the beginning of the academic year again.
劳动节本来是工人阶级的节日，不过现在逐渐变成夏季的收尾，也是很多学校拉开新学年序幕的一天。

相关链接：“五一”的由来>>>