Labor Day: History and Fun Facts About Summer’s Last Holiday
Labor Day Weekend is widely recognized as the unofficial end of the summer and it’s usually associated with barbeques and parties. But, officially, Labor Day recognizes and pays tribute to the contributions of American workers.
Origins
Labor Day came about during the Industrial Revolution in America. American workers would be forced to work in dangerous conditions, 12-hours shifts, and seven days a week. As they organized and unions were formed, workers protested for decent pay and better working conditions.
On September 5, 1882, more than 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Square in New York, which marked the first Labor Day parade in the U.S. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.
Founders
Even though the origins of Labor Day are known, it’s still unclear who exactly proposed the holiday. Some believe that Peter J McGuire, who was the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to suggest the holiday. However, others believe that it was a machinist by the name of Matthew Maguire during the time he served as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
Celebrations
From the very beginning, it was established that Labor Day should be celebrated with street parades followed by entertainment for workers and their families. These events included fireworks, picnics, and more. Street parades are not as popular as they were back then but the tradition to celebrate continues.
States like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio still hold annual parades to celebrate Labor Day. Washington, D.C. holds an annual concert every Sunday before Labor Day.
What are your plans for Labor Day?
Get ready for a second career: Become a teacher with Broward College
Have you realized that you have a passion for education after a pursuing a career in another field? If you already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field, you can train to become a certified teacher in the state of Florida through the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI).
The EPI is a fully-online, 21-credit program that can be completed at your own pace. After completion, you will receive a Professional Certificate in Teaching awarded by the State of Florida.
“This program is a great option for those looking for a career change that allows them to have more flexible schedules,” explains Elizabeth Molina, interim associate dean of Academic Affairs. “We tend to receive people from fields such as accounting, engineering, and business management that are looking for a career that gives them more time to dedicate to their families.”
The expected national growth for K-12 educators is an average of eight percent through 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In Florida, teachers specializing in critical shortage areas such as mathematics, science, and foreign languages are in high demand.
Requirements and Application Process
Prospective students must meet certain criteria before registering for the program. First, individuals must apply with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for a Statement of Eligibility (SOE). Applicants must submit their official transcripts to the FLDOE.
Next, after obtaining the SOE, individuals must complete both the general Broward College application and EPI application. They must request official transcripts from all institutions they have attended and submit them in a sealed envelope to Broward College Registrar’s Office. Applicants must schedule an admission meeting with the EPI faculty for final approval.
What to expect
To complete the program, students are required to successfully pass the seven courses with a grade of C or above, maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, complete 15 hours of field work, and pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams, which includes General Knowledge, Subject Area, and Professional Education Exams. Lastly, students will be required to submit a program portfolio to be approved by the EPI faculty.
Students can complete the program in two semesters if they enroll full-time.
Learn more about the EPI and other careers in Education here.