美國的勞動節
The United States is observing Labor Day, a day set aside to honor U.S. workers and their contributions to the country's economy.
In the 1880's, there was a push to recognize the U.S. worker, who back then was likely to be working at least 12 hours a day, six days a week, with a paltry salary. Even children as young as five were often part of a factory's dingy landscape. Health care benefits were unheard of.
One by one, states drafted and passed legislation that set aside a day to honor the contributions of the common worker.
On June 28, 1884, Congress passed an act designating the first Monday in September of each year as Labor Day, making it a national holiday.
In recent years, labor unions have seen their membership dwindle with the growth of technology and the globalization of the world economy.
However, the workers' benefits unions fought for decades ago are now customary in most U.S. workplaces, including the eight-hour work day, five-day work weeks, health care insurance and vacations paid for by employers.
In keeping with the original intent of the holiday, some U.S. cities continue to stage parades honoring trade and labor unions, and hold festivities for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.
However, most workers in the U.S. have the day off and spend time with their families, gathering for backyard cookouts or trips to parks and beaches.
Labor Day has become known as the unofficial end of summer since schools usually reopened from summer vacation after Labor Day. But now, more and more schools are reopening in August.美國正在過勞動節，這是一個爲表彰美國工人及他們對國家經濟貢獻而設定的節日。
在19世紀80年代，人們開始推動對美國工人的關注，當時他們可能每天工作至少12小時，每週工作6天，工資微不足道。條件惡劣的工廠裏甚至有5歲的兒童。醫療保健福利聞所未聞。
美國各州一個一個地起草並通過立法，專門指定一天來表彰普通工人的貢獻。
美國國會在1884年6月28日通過一項法案，指定每年9月的第一個星期一爲勞動節，使之成爲聯邦假日。
近年來，隨着技術的發展和世界經濟的全球化，美國工會成員人數有所減少，但工會數十年來爭取到的工人福利現在在大多數美國工作場所都成爲慣例，包括八小時工作日、每週工作五天、醫療保險和帶薪假期等。
爲了和設立勞動節的初衷保持一致，美國一些城市仍然舉行表彰工人和工會的遊行，以及爲工人和其家人提供娛樂的節日活動。
不過大多數美國人在休假這一天與家人共度時光，在後院燒烤或前往公園和海灘。
美國的勞動節也被看作是夏季結束的非正式象徵，因爲新學年通常在勞動節後開始。儘管現在越來越多的學校在八月份就開學。
