~ Labor Day History ~

The Meaning of Labor Day

One holiday that a lot of people don't seem to take as seriously as all the others, in my experience, has been the holiday known as Labor Day.
Labor Day is a celebration of worker's rights and the triumphs that the labor movement has gained over the last couple of centuries. Many people think of Labor Day as just another holiday where they get off of work or out of school, and don't take the time to look at and appreciate what the holiday is really about.

The First Labor Day Parade, New York City, September 5, 1882

in the United States Labor Day takes place on the first Monday of September. For many this day marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. But Labor Day is not just the end of summer, it is a celebration workers of all sorts.
Labor Day is sometimes confused with the holiday known as 'May Day', which is another labor union related holiday that has it's roots in the Socialist Party. These are two separate holidays basically celebrating the same thing. Labor Day was selected as a separate holiday though to disassociate it from the communistic May Day in the late 1800's.

Peter J. McGuire

The Origin of Labor Day

The first Labor Day was organized by Peter J McGuire in 1882. McGuire was a carpenter and one of the leaders of the American union movement.
Over 10,000 workers marched from New York's City Hall to Union Square. After the parade they enjoyed a picnic, concert, and speeches at Reservoir Park with their families.


But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention 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. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

In many cities across America, Labor Day continues to celebrated in the very same fashion.

Different countries around the world also celebrate the holiday along with the United States.

HUGE GIVEAWAY being posted on tomorrow with (6) ladies participating.