How long have you been hearing "at the end of the day" in common use?

Not, of course, referring literally to a time of day—sunset or dusk or nighttime. Rather, having about the same meaning as “when you come right down to it” or “in the final analysis” or “the bottom line.”

I don’t think I ran into it in that sense earlier than about 2000. If you’ve heard it as a familiar expression for longer than that, I’d like to know; and especially if you remember seeing it in published writing.

Please also mention region and/or context. In my case: West Coast, workplace.