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Labor Day?!
By Mona Lease
HI, all!! I've always wondered about Labor Day. No Federal employees
work it. How is that? Where did Labor Day start? Why? So - I googled it.
Labor Day is always the first Monday of September. Oh - ok. It's
created by the Labor Movement and dedicated to the social and economic
achievements of American workers. Hmm. It's a yearly national tribute
to the contributions of workers to the strength, prosperity, and
well-being of our country. Really?!
Over the years - our nation took more notice and gave more emphasis to
Labor Day. The first time our government recognized it was when
ordinances were passed in 1885-1886. A movement developed from this to
get state legislation. Oregon was the first state to pass legislation
into law. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York followed
the same year - 1887. Later Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania
adopted the legislation into their state laws. By 1894 - 23 more states
had adopted the holiday. On June 28, 1894 - Congress passed an act that
made the first Monday in September of each year a Labor Day.
No one is sure - but, some people believe that Peter McGuire - general
secretary of The Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder
of the American Federation of Labor - was the first to suggest a day to
honor those "who from rude (or raw) nature have delved and carved all
the grandeur we behold."
Others believe Matthew McGuire - a machinist - founded the holiday. He
was secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of
Machinists in Paterson, NJ. He also served as secretary of the
Central Labor Union in New York.
The first proposal for Labor Day spelled out how it should be
celebrated - a street parade to show the public the "strength and
esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations." This should be
followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers
and their families. Later - the Sunday before Labor Day (Monday) became
designated as Labor Sunday to show the spiritual and educational
aspects of the holiday.
The vital force of labor added materially to the high standard of
living and the greatest production the world had ever known. It had
brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideas of
economic and political democracy. On this Labor Day - we pay tribute to
the creator of so much of our nation's strength, freedom, and
leadership - the American worker!!!
So - to those of you who have to work on Labor Day and to those of you
who do not have to work - Happy Labor Day!! Either way - we truly could
not do it without you.
Labor Day has long been the "unofficial end to summer." There are those
who believe that wearing white after this holiday is a "social wardrobe
faux pas." Whether you wear white afterwards or not - school will be
resuming and in some cases has already done so.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
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