Today is Monday, September 6th, otherwise known as Labor Day. Many of us have the day off and still there are some who are required to work, of course with an added incentive... more $$$. But why Labor Day? How did this nationally observed holiday come to be? Who was behind it?
Take a closer look with me at it's origins and the person possibly responsible for this day.
PETER J. MCGUIRE, BEFORE 1906
PETER AND LABOR DAY
In 1882, Peter J. McGuire, proposed an idea to the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. His idea was to set aside one day every year to honor labor. From there he went on to share to a larger audience at the New York Central Labor Union on May 8, 1882. He suggested the first Monday of September would be the day of observance; with a parade and end with a picnic or other activity. They approved his idea! And the first Labor Day was celebrated, not on a Monday as he advised, but on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City. This changed within just two years in 1884, to be on Monday. The events for the day closely resembled what Peter had desired; a day full of activities: parades, picnics, concerts and speeches.
By 1895, Labor Day had reached across the nation and was recognized legally first by Oregon on February 21, 1887. In 1893, New Jersey joined and closely following were 20 states. Soon after, Congress passed a bill to make it a national holiday. Both parties agreed and on June 28, 1874 President Grover Cleveland signed it, establishing Labor Day as a legal holiday for all federal employees.
Author's Notes:
1.Peter was the co-founder of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, along with Gustav Luebkert.
2.From its origins, Labor Day honored only organized labor. But today, all who work are honored.
3.There are some who claim that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. I chose to focus on Peter's story behind Labor Day.
WHO WAS PETER MCGUIRE?
Peter was born in New York City on July 6, 1852 to John James McGuire (Ireland, 1822-1882) and Catherine Hand (Ireland 1818-1889); a poor Irish Catholic family. Peter was a political activist and trade unionist. His life reveals him to be a passionate man, intently pursuing to make a difference; to change how things were done in the labor force.
In the United States, after the Civil War, labor had become a major issue. Management was scarce nearly absent; with workers not able to settle disputes. Owners of businesses did not understand the concept of fair treatment for their workers, resulting in organized labor unions to protect them.
Peter was one of the union leaders. He was deeply involved in the campaign for the eight-hour day and became a member of the Greenback Labor Party in 1878. During this time he continued to work as a carpenter and joined the Knights of Labor. He was also successful in leading a strike of carpenters in St. Louis for the eight-hour day.
Author's Note: Peter gave from his own money to support the causes and organizations he led and was a member of.
In the last years of his life, Peter attended the Carpenters' convention in 1902, (his last convention) and addressed those present with this statement:
[A] man wears out like a piece of machinery. . . . I am not lost entirely in this world but I have had enough to wreck me physically, destroy me mentally.
Four years later, when he was just 53 years old, on February 18, 1906... he died. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. He had four children; Lillian, Kathryn, Peter James Jr., and Myrtle.
Author's Note: His wife I was unable to find a name for. Perhaps when I update this post, I will by then had discovered her.
Book Source: HOLIDAY & HOLY DAYS BY SUSAN E. RICHARDSON
Others sources are highlights with links for further readings. Simply click on person or subject of interest.
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