If you could create a holiday, what
would it be called? What date would you choose for your holiday?
Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and
labor union leader, was the person who came up with the idea for Labor Day. He
thought American workers should be honored with their own day. He proposed his
idea to New York's Central Labor Union early in 1882, and they thought the
holiday was a good idea, too. With four long months between Independence Day
and Thanksgiving, Peter suggested a month halfway in between. But what date
should they choose?
The very first Labor Day was held on a
Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. The day was celebrated with a
picnic, concert and speeches. Ten thousand workers marched in a parade from
City Hall to Union Square.
Soon after that first celebration, the
holiday was moved to the first Monday in September, the day we still honor.
Congress passed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday in 1894. Labor
Day is not just a day to celebrate the accomplishments of workers; for some
people, it is also a day to talk about their concerns and to discuss ways to
get better working conditions and salaries. How do you celebrate the last
holiday of the summer?
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