To all my fellow Americans - Happy Labor Day

United States
September 1, 2008 6:10am CST
Always the first Monday in September Dedicated in honor of the worker, it is also appropriately called the "workingman's holiday". The holiday is dedicated to you in respect and appreciation for the work you do in or outside of the home, union or non-union, big company, small companies, or government. As long as you work somewhere at something, this holiday is for you! The first Labor Day was held celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882 and was started by the Central Labor Union in New York City. In 1884, it was moved to the first Monday in September where it is celebrated today. Labor Day quickly became popular and one state after another voted it as a holiday. On June 28, 1894, the U.S. congress voted it a national holiday. Labor Day is also viewed as the official end of summer. While the Fall Equinox is still a couple of weeks away, kids go back to school and summer vacations are over. So this marks the end of the season. Many people celebrate this weekend with one last picnic. It is also the date that many people close up the pool, and put away the boats. Was it McGuire or Maguire? Either Peter McGuire or Matthew Maguire is the Creator of Labor Day. Peter J. McGuire, was an active labor organizer. He was also general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. He was believed to be the first to suggest a day be dedicated to American workers and their accomplishments. Matthew Maguire however, was secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York in 1882 and many believed that he proposed the holiday in 1882. I can remember when this was a true holiday and the only people who were working were hospital employees, police and fireman. Boy times have changed. How are you spending your day? We are going to enjoy some Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs, hubby and a friend are out crabbing this chilly morning.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
1 Sep 08
Thank you and I hope your day is a good one, crabbing, sounds like fun. Enjoy your day!
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Sep 08
Yes, crabbing is fun! I have been doing it for about 20 years, we use to do it with string and chicken nets on the side of a row boat! I haven't done any crabbing this year. Thanks for the response.
@AmbiePam (85273)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Oh really, crabbing? I saw a special on looking for blue crabs on the Discovery Channel. It looked fun. Yeah, you are right, times have changed. A lot of people don't have this day off any more. I kind of feel sorry for them because a lot of them have difficult jobs as well, even if the pay is really low.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Sep 08
DH likes to do it as a destresser. Then we eat some, pick the rest and then make crabcakes for the rest of the winter. They are so yummy. The one good thing about working the holiday is you do get holiday pay, but I think I would prefer the day off.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Happy Labor Day to you. Well, we started the day by having breakfast at Panera's. Then, we went to Home Depot to buy some lumber for an outdoor project my husband wanted to build. Then, we went to Books a Million bookstore to browse the books. We love doing that! After that, we came home and I scrubbed on the toaster oven for 2 hours (see my myLot discussion I'll be starting on that one). Then, I plopped down on this sofa. I did submit a writing project that was due today. I am gonna take it as easy as possible for the rest of the day. I will, however, go for a swim in the pool. And, I plan to make a homemade pizza for dinner. Oh, and of course, surf the internet and keep up with myLot emails. Enjoy those crabs, kimbers867.