Labor Day is largely seen as a day off to have a barbeque, maybe enjoy a parade, or as a sign that football season is about to start. Others take the day off and just lounge.

Whatever you do with your time off from work on Labor Day, thank South Dakota's James Kyle.

Get our free mobile app

READ: Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day In America (Besides Grilling)?

Many South Dakotans have never heard of James Kyle, I hadn't until I did the research for this story, but just about every worker in the United States at some time has benefited from his work.

Senator James Kyle of South Dakota introduced a historic bill to the U.S. Senate on August 28, 1893. According to the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, Kyle's bill was to make Labor Day a legal national holiday on the first Monday of September each year. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law on June 28, 1894. The rest, as they say, is history.

According to the SDHSF, Kyle said labor organizations were asking for the first Monday of September to be singled out as a day off from work so all workers could enjoy vacation privileges on the same day.

Today Labor Day largely is seen as just another paid holiday, the unofficial end of summer, or a chance to save a few bucks on a Labor Day sale. But if you are lucky enough to have Labor Day off from work, take a second and thank James Kyle, the Senator from the fledging state of South Dakota whose bill helped to make all that happen.

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

LOOK: The oldest cities in America

Though the United States doesn’t have as long of a history as some Old World countries, it still has plenty of historical charm. Stacker brings you a list of the 50 oldest cities in America.

 

 

More From KYBB-FM / B102.7