Labor Day was first observed on September 5th, 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York, becoming a federal holiday in 1894 following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike. President Grover Cleveland pushed reconciliation through Congress in an effort to calm fears of a further conflict.

Today, the holiday is mostly known as the “End of Summer”, the beginning of the NFL season and NCAA football season. For more than 30 years NASCAR held the Southern 500 at Darlington from 1950 to 1983.

In the Ozarks, Labor Day is the last “long weekend” for most to spend at area lakes, rivers and parks. Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals are very busy with this weekend ending the summer boating season and beginning the fall camping season.

However you spend your weekend, we hope it’s a fun and safe holiday weekend!