Who Can We Thank For Labor Day?
Some would say that we should thank Peter J. McGuire, and others would say Matthew Maguire.
Peter J. McGuire in 1882 as the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor introduced setting aside a day for the laboring classes.
Others suggest Matthew Maguire, who was a machinist, founded the holiday. Maguire later became the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey. Some credit his proposal of the holiday in 1882 while he was the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.*
Either way, President Cleveland was the president who signed it into law. Making Labor Day a national holiday.
The first Labor Day parade in New York City was attended by both McGuire and Maguire in 1894.
In the late 1800s the average American worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week. Even children as young as 5 or 6 worked in mills, factories, and mines across the country. And of course, they were cheap labor earning much less than the adults. Many faced unsafe working conditions.
In the late 18th century labor unions organized strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions, long hours and insufficient pay.*
Basically, Labor Day is a day to celebrate hard work. And also, a break from hard work. Today we celebrate Labor Day with barbecues, laying in pools, travel, and spending time with loved ones. Who doesn’t love a day with family and friends? It’s definitely a day to be thankful for.
May you work hard and rest hard and love with your whole heart.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
– Ephesians 2:10
For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And on preorder Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 0-4. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.
*USA TODAY, Harris/Tyko, Sept. 2, 2022
*H-HISTORY, Labor Day, 2022
