With Labor Day (Monday, September 4, 2006) approaching quickly, Zhang & Associates would like to take the time to discuss this significant holiday that honors the workers in the US. Labor Day is a federal holiday, which is celebrated each year on the first Monday of September. It commemorates workers in the United States and their social and economic achievements and contributions to the American economy and the United States as a whole.

The origins of Labor Day can be found with the labor unions of the 1800’s. On Tuesday, September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union celebrated the first Labor Day in NYC. In 1884, it was proposed that the first Monday in September be set aside for Labor Day. From then on, cities and states slowly adopted the concept of commemorating the workers and eventually on June 28, 1894, Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the first Monday of September.

Initially, Labor Day was marked by street parades, speeches and festivals for the relaxation and amusement of the workers and their families. However, today there are few parades and speeches are transmitted by the radio, newspaper, and television. Despite this, workers are still given the day off and the opportunity to relax and spend time with their family. Many use this long weekend as an opportunity to take one last vacation or trip for the summer, as it usually marks the end of summer vacation for most students and their families.

In many other countries, Labor Day goes by the name of May Day and is held on the first of May each year. This day also has its origins in the labor unions in the United States during the 1880’s. On May 1, 1886, unions across the United States demanding an eight hour work day went on strike. Eventually, the unions achieved their goal and nations across the globe chose May 1st as the day they would have protests, demonstrations, parades, and speeches to achieve change in the working conditions of the laborers.

All of the workers in the US, including American citizens, permanent residents, and immigrant workers, should be honored on this day. Immigrants coming to the United States have had an immense and immeasurable impact on the United States of America since its beginning. Even today immigrants contribute significantly to the United States, adding to its strength, prosperity, democracy, economic, politics and society as a whole. We commend those coming to the US from abroad to work here and aid the United States becoming a better place.

Z&A recognizes that not all workers are given or take the opportunity to take off on Labor Day. Notably, researchers, post-docs, Ph.D. students, and others working at research institutes and universities many times work on Labor Day. We understand this and encourage those who will be working on Labor Day to e-mail us if they have any immigration questions or concerns at @hooyou.com">info@hooyou.com, as we will still be checking our e-mail and respond to you as soon as possible, in order to deliver you the best service possible.

Zhang & Associates would like to commend all the workers in the US who work each and everyday to make the US a stronger and better place to live. Our offices will be recognizing the holiday and will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2006, in order to honor all those who work hard in the US. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend.