What's Labor Day In The USA? - American holidays and culture

Next Monday will be the first Monday in September, and it’s a big holiday in the US.

Do you know which one?

Here’s a hint:

well,

it's the title of this video but also It’s related to the holiday that the rest of the world, including France,

celebrates on May 1st.

You guessed it!

It’s Labor Day: and it's a day to honor workers by letting them have

a day off

from work.

I’m Christina and you’re watching Speak Better, Feel Great TV

The place to boost your English, and boost your career.

Today, you’ll learn how the American Labor Day is a lot different from the French Fête du Travail

and you vocabulary for talking about working conditions.

You ready?

When you think of the French La Fête du Travail in France, you probably think of this

But when Americans think of Labor Day, they probably think of this

or

this

For Americans, Labor Day means a lot of things

the end of summer, the beginning of football season, Labor Day sales,

and if they’re lucky,

a day off from work.

A lot of businesses are open on Labor Day.

And big demonstrations like the ones you see in France,

they

don’t really happen in the US.

Many cities prefer to organize a festive Labor Day Parade

instead.

At the parades, there are lots of American flags,

marching bands,

community associations, and workers showing that they are proud of their work.

Remember, in American society, hard work is a key value.

And Labor Day is the day to celebrate hard work and pride in your country.

It’s a day of

celebrations,

not protests.

Personally, we never really did anything special for Labor Day. Maybe a family barbecue.

And it was a day off from school, which was always really exciting,

because we started school at the beginning of August!

way too early.

Here’s a surprising fact about Labor Day.

The International Workers’ Day on May 1st that the rest of the world celebrates.

actually originated in the US.

ya really.

So why don’t Americans have Labor Day on May 1st?

It’s complicated.

If you’re interested in the full story, I’ve put a link to an article in the notes below this video.

In a nutshell, there were lots of violent strikes and deaths in May of 1886,

and the government

didn’t want the people to remember that.

OK, but why is American Labor Day in September?

That was the result of other violent labor strikes in 1894.

And this is why we don’t really strike in the US.

It often ends in violence or

being fired.

After many deaths, the American government decided to create Labor Day.

They wanted to calm the workers.

But the government didn’t want a holiday associated with the radical events

of May.

So, for several different reasons,

they chose the first Monday in September for the American Labor day.

Psss!

You’ll really impress your American colleagues if you know why American Labor Day is in September.

Not many Americans know that story!

For the majority of Americans, Labor Day is about parades,

barbecues, and just relaxing.

However,

40% of Americans have the ironic pleasure of celebrating Labor Day

by working.

So Labor Day in the US is not really the equivalent of La Fête du Travail in France.

But now you know a little more about the American relationship to work

and why you’re American colleague will be absent

or not

next Monday.

Before you go,

tell us!

Share your opinion, right there,

in the comments below.

It’s the best place to practice your English and ask your questions!

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I’m Christina from Speak Better, Feel Great TV.

See you next time.