Relax, refresh and enjoy

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, reports the Huffington Post.

While most Americans think Labor Day a uniquely American holiday, it actually originated in Toronto, Canada in 1872. Labor disputes led to a parade in support of a strike against the 58-hour workweek.

The first Labor Day celebration in the U.S. was in New York City's Union Square on Sept. 5, 1882. It was meant to appease city workers after numerous strikes. First festivities included speeches, a picnic, an abundance of cigars and Lager beer kegs mounted in every conceivable place.

President Grover Cleveland declared in 1894 that Labor Day would be celebrated on the first Monday of September every year. It has evolved into the unofficial end of summer and beginning of the school year for most kids.