Intricate Study/Deconstruction of Labor Day (Draft)

"Labor Day" as it stand in the US, is now a federal holiday that takes place on the first monday of September. The holiday was established as a federal holiday in June of 1984, though the holiday was first created by the Central Labor Union, a trade organization in the New York and New Jersey area. The Central Labor Union declared that there should be a day in which "the common working man" was "celebrated for his efforts." Since the federalization of the holiday, Americans all over the country take september 1st off not so much to celebrate the working man as the Central Labor Union may have depicted it, instead celebrating themselves as workers and spending time relaxing for the long weekend. Corporate advertisements that lead up to the Labor Day weekend are targeted at consumers' home lives, emphasizing the family and the "special times" spent wth one another. It also stresses sales on people at the same time. seizing the opportunity to make larger profits. For a more generic message, not so family-oriented, they still have the huge saving weekend extravaganza, because god forbid that there would exist a holiday where corporate culture doesn't ENTIRELY guide it. So ultimately what labor day boils down to is a breif break from working where you are told, (by commercial media) that it is supposed to be about families gathering and enjoying time with each, something which is precious and cherished. But, wait, your store is still open on labor day? And the grills are on sale? Hot Damn! Forget my family - I need to take hold of these sales! Don't worry though, you can bring your family! We got sales on all childrens products 99$ and above! Why not buy a little something, a trinket of affection for the Mrs.? It's in the spirit of the holiday!

I think this paints the picture of a holiday that wasn't manufactured by corporation, that started out with good intentions. Once companies realized there would be three days where consumers would have time off to do as they pleased, it became a profit making period. This is a perfect representation of American culture, where people are intended to gather with friends and have barbeques on the beach and maybe build a bonfire, real happy and carefree.