Happy Labor Day!

I hope everyone is having a safe, happy, and relaxing holiday. Here in NJ it’s a rainy dreary day, so I’m sure many are moving their family gatherings indoor. My plan is to curl up and relax with a good book and get some writing done.  So, I’m keeping today’s post short and sweet. I like history and I like knowing how things originated so I thought I’d share a little of the history of Labor Day.

Who actually founded labor day is actually a subject for debate. There is evidence to suggest that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor was the first to introduce the concept. However, many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist and later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, NJ. Matthew Maguire is believed to have proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. It is definite, though, that the  Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic which was held September 5, 1882. Oregon was the first state to recognize Labor Day as a holiday in 1887. It wasn’t until June 28, 1894 that it became a national holiday.

Thus, Labor Day was born. A day to celebrate the labors and accomplishments of the American worker and all they’ve contributed to society.

Now tell me, how do you plan on spending your Labor Day?
Enjoy your holiday!

~Rayna