September means... LABOR DAY! What is it?
Labor Day is a federal holiday celebrated every year on the first Monday in September. So what is Labor Day? Labor Day was formed to recognize the social and economic achievements of American workers. In a nutshell- it is tribute to the contributions workers have made to our country. But who was the founder of this United States federal holiday?
While there has been some question as to who came up with the idea for this holiday honoring workers nationwide, Records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters may have been the brain behind the whole idea. In his own words he suggested that we honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." However, there were other speculations that a machinist by the name of Matthew Maguire founded the holiday. Recent research suggests that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. Following this proposal the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. The Central Labor Union was responsible for the celebration and held its second Labor Day holiday a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. By 1894, most states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed a bill that made the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
Today our economy has faced many challenges. Many of our American workers have been laid off and left to suffer the consequences of our failing economy. Many have lost their homes as well as their entire savings. What once was a thriving economy has left millions with out jobs and no where to turn. Large companies such as GMC have laid off thousands of workers due to our struggling economy. Many have been turned to the streets with no homes and no money to feed their families. Who will we turn to? Many Americans have worked long and hard, only to end up with no retirement funds and empty pockets
Labor Day means so much more than a picnic and a celebration. Labor Day is a day to reflect and come together as a nation. Labor Day is a day to take time and remember all of us who have labored over the years to feed our families and keep a roof over our heads. Labor Day is a day in which we need to lift each other up in confidence and prayer as a nation undivided. Labor Day is a day to honor each other as we still face uncertain times, hoping our nation will return to a workplace of security and hope for all.
For more information visit: http://www.history.com/content/laborday