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LABOR DAY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2013
celebrating
LABOR DAY On the first Monday in September, we celebrate the social and economic contributions of hardworking Americans. Here’s how it came to pass... Courtesy of Matthew M. F. Miller CTW Features For many Americans, Labor Day is nothing more than the last paid holiday until Thanksgiving, and one final chance to celebrate the waning summer before back-to-school time and chilly, football-filled weekends take the reins. Its history, however, points to a holiday steeped in hardworking American pride – a day to celebrate the great achievements and social impact of all workers who contribute to the economic welfare of the United States. The first Labor Day was held on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. More than 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square. At the height of the Industrial Revolution, the average American worked 12-hour days, seven days a week to make ends meet. Working conditions were poor, child labor was a persistent issue, and a day to unify and celebrate the workingman was needed to bring attention to these problems.
Some stories report that Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor and the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, first proposed the holiday in an effort to honor the people “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” More recent findings suggest that Matthew Maguire, a former machinist, suggested the holiday in 1882 in his role as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. All accounts agree that the Central Labor Union adopted the plan and formed a committee to hold a demonstration and picnic on the very first Labor Day. The holiday gained national traction in workplaces throughout the country until the first state bill was introduced in the New York legislature. The first state to adopt the holiday into law was Oregon on Feb. 21, 1887, and four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – followed suit that same year. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act to make the first Monday in September a legal holiday in all states
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and territories. Until then, workers who participated in festivities were not paid for their time off. The initial Labor Day proposal suggested that the holiday be commemorated with a street parade and a recreational festival for workers and their families. Later, speeches by prominent labor leaders in the community became an integral part of the celebration. In 1909, a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention anointed the preceding day as “Labor Sunday” – a day dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement, which is no longer celebrated in most circles. Today, Labor Day is observed with picnics, barbecues, fireworks, parades and countless local and municipal events. It has become less about fighting for and honoring workers’ rights and contributions to our economy and more about celebrating with friends and family on an all-toorare day off from work. Happy Labor Day!
OUR EMPLOYEES
are worth their weight in gold. This Labor Day we want to thank our employees for another great year. We value your dedication and service to our Company.
Nobody does “I DO” like we do! 903 Shiloh Crossing Blvd (In front of Kohl’s at Shiloh & King) | 252-3662 | www.goldsmithgalleryjewelers.com
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