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Labor Day weekend is here again. And though it was originally taken as a serious celebration, today it has come to symbolize the end of summer and the final fling before school starts.

The first September Labor Day event took place in New York in 1882, when the Knights of Labor staged a parade of 30,000 in honor of the working man. The competing International Workingmen’s Assn. held their labor celebrations on the first of May.

Remember that this was during the Industrial Revolution with child labor, 12-plus hour days, no minimum wage, etc. Anger about the workers’ situation was so high that on May 1, 1886, there was a general strike in Chicago calling for an eight-hour workday. This led to a series of police skirmishes, culminating in the infamous Haymarket Riots.

Then, in 1894, the employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company went on a wildcat strike (a strike not authorized by an organized union) that prompted Eugene V. Debs of the American Railway Union to strike in sympathy.

Rail traffic effectively came to a standstill. This was all that anti-unionist President Grover Cleveland needed to send in federal troops. Fifty-seven strikers were wounded, and 13 were killed.

There had been pressure on the government to declare a national Labor Day in honor of the workers of America since the sentiment of the 1882 parade had spread across the country. So in June of 1894, in order to calm unrest created by the aftermath of the Pullman strike, Congress gave us our lovely end-of-summer weekend.

It falls in September because President Cleveland refused to allow May 1 as the date, though most other countries have a labor celebration on that day. May 1 was too closely associated with the Haymarket Riots, anarchists and socialists.

While it’s true that a few members of our community labor only in the sense of clipping bond coupons, most of us must work in some fashion for our living.

So while we are getting that last long weekend of sunshine, it might be nice to remember that the weekend is to celebrate us, the people who work hard in our community.

Fortunately, most of us in Orange County think we have pretty nice jobs. The most recent edition of the Jobs Rated Almanac lists the best and worst jobs in the U.S. at the beginning of the 21st century.

Biologist got the highest rating for low stress, high pay, strong hiring demand and autonomy (an interesting criterion).

Worst job? Lumberjack. Job instability, low wages and danger make the manly art of felling trees in flannels and boots not as glamorous as we thought.

In fact, many of the jobs traditionally associated with what little boys answer when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” don’t favor well compared to actuary, software engineer, accountant, paralegal or astronomer (ranked at the top of the list).

Cowboys get low wages and harsh working conditions. Sailors face dangers from storms and pirates. Policemen and firemen have terrible schedules and are constantly in harm’s way.

Of course, the people we most associate with being interested in careers are teens and college students. “Careers for Class Clowns & Other Engaging Types,” “145 Things to Be When You Grow Up,” and “I’m an English Major — Now What?” are examples of some of the titles written for young adults who are entering the workforce.

For those who are interested finding a new career, the publishing industry is also aware that there are people dissatisfied with their jobs. “Second Acts: Creating the Life You Really Want, Building the Career You Truly Desire,” “Do What You Want for the Rest of Your Life,” and “What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?: Starting the Next Chapter of Your Life” are excellent examples of useful books for those hoping for a better situation.

And for everyone who is happy and fulfilled in their jobs, take a second to be thankful this Labor Day that things have changed over the last 120 years.

Our children don’t work in the mills, we get home at dinner time and we have this lovely three-day weekend off!