Labor Day Weekend

Ask about Labor Day, and the typical response is that it's "just another day off of work." However, the origins of Labor Day find themselves among the labor union movements of the 1800s as a way to celebrate the social and economic advancements of the United States and pay tribute to the driving force of our economy - the American laborer.

"All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers. Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor workers.   Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.

                                                              Peter J. McGuire                         
                                          

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read "LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH," and "EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!" After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off.
                                         
Today we celebrate Labor Day with a little less fanfare on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians "kick off" their political campaigns by holding rallies on this holiday.
                                                                                                   
Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.
                                                                       

Today we celebrate this historic holiday that commemorates the huge contributions the workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our nation.This is a holiday to be celebrated by ALL who labour and who's efforts and skills at so many different jobs have given us the materials to fulfill all of our wants and necessities in society.

                                                                                                           16 tons
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