What Is Labor Day About? 7 Historical Facts About Celebration Of American Movement

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Labor

http://www.latintimes.com/what-labor-day-about-7-historical-facts-about-celebration-american-movement-203988

What Is Labor Day About? 7 Historical Facts About Celebration Of American Movement




By Latin Times | Aug 27 2014, 09:00AM EDT

Labor Day 2014 falls on the first Monday of September and this year, the exact date is Monday, Sept. 1. The holiday celebrates and honors the achievements of American workers. Labor Day also marks the unofficial end of summer, as the the second half of the year begins with the fall season and holidays. Here are eight historical facts about Labor Day:

1. Who was the founder of Labor Day? The answer is murky, at best. Some believe Peter J. McGuire, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to create the notion of the holiday. But others say machinist Matthew Maguire was the real founder.

2. When did Labor Day become a holiday? Labor Day became a federal holiday on June 28, 1894 when Congress passed an act designating the first Monday of September to be the legal day for the holiday. But prior to that, on a state-level, bills were passed to create a Labor Day. New York was the first state to introduce legislature for the holiday but it was Oregon who first passed it in 1887.

3. When was the first labor day celebrated? The very first Labor Day was celebrated before it was passed into law in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882. The celebration was planned by the Central Labor Union.

FULL list at link.

[merrily]

1. Haymarket Massacre--Why the US celebrates Labor Day in September instead of May 1.

The Haymarket Massacre (or Haymarket Riot) occurred while workers were striking at Haymarket Square Chicago, for an eight hour work day. Someone threw a bomb; and police killed several demonstrators.

The Haymarket affair is generally considered significant as the origin of international May Day observances for workers.[7][8] The site of the incident was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1992,[9] and a public sculpture was dedicated there in 2004. In addition, the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument at the defendants' burial site in nearby Forest Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997.[10]

"No single event has influenced the history of labor in Illinois, the United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair. It began with a rally on May 4, 1886, but the consequences are still being felt today. Although the rally is included in American history textbooks, very few present the event accurately or point out its significance," according to labor studies professor William J. Adelman.[11]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_Massacre

Well, if the Haymarket Market Massacre is considered the origin of May Day labor observances around the world, why does the US celebrate labor day in September while much of the rest of world celebrates on May 1? Makes no sense, whatsoever, does it?

Hint: The switch to September did not result from separation of church and state. Or from reverence and respect for the workers martyred during the Haymarket Massacre.

Labor Day was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the first parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Massacre, which occurred in Chicago on May 4, 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the affair. Thus, in 1887, it was established as an official holiday in September to support the Labor Day that the Knights favored.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

Fuck President Cleveland and his strike breaking ways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Cleveland

I think we should observe on May 1, also known as International Workers' Day, and very much associate the event with the martyrs of the Haymarket Massacre and workers everywhere who died and sacrificed for decent working conditions, fair wages, etc.

[merrily]

2. US Dept of Labor write up about Labor Day and its history

http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm