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Just Another Sunday (Before Labor Day Monday)

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty (888) 397-7352 Ext:1148 RS282607

Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR

 

google peter b lavelle homes for sale philadelphiaWell no not really. The kitchen will be bustling soon. Do I have enough food for my guests? Is the house tidy? Ahhhh....can't forget the beer? Should I have wine or not? Do I have enough propane for the grill? Ice...Darn it I have to get the ice. Oh we can not forget to go to Church this morning...yes, Church. You think God will let me slide this one day? No we have to go. Okay I think all is set. Oh will there be enough parking in front of the house? I am sure some Philadelphia residents will be grilling across the street in the park. WAIT!!!!!! WHAT AM I DOING????

Sound familiar? I like to have get togethers as many others do, however we sometimes, either in ignorance don't know why, or forget why we get together.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

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 those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

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 Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Information provided by US Dept. of Labor.

Posted by

Peter B. Lavelle

"Marketing Your Home for All It Is Worth"

 

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 Real estate is a people business and you deserve to be treated with the utmost respect, as well as having an agent that will "Do the right thing ALL the time, EVERYTIME."

I believe in challenging the status quo by being different, being original, leading the way, and understanding that attitude reflects leadership.

As a mentor to many youth in our area, I build my business to help them in their path and journey to being leaders in their own right. Please join me in helping to provide for them their path to success.

 

Comments (4)

Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Good morning Peter,

Great blog, thank you for sharing!  Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous Labor Day!

Sep 04, 2011 01:48 AM
Peter Lavelle REALTOR®
eXp Realty (888) 397-7352 Ext:1148 - Philadelphia, PA
Your Home SOLD 4 Times Faster Than MLS Average

Thank you Lisa. Same to you and yours.

Sep 04, 2011 01:49 AM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Peter, a great piece of history that makes this country so great, thanks.

Sep 04, 2011 02:04 AM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

Good morning Peter. Nice story on the origin. Not sure if it's because I don't actually labor, but I will be working come labor day. I remember working construction and enjoying the three day weekend. As a Realtor I just have 7 day work weeks. Enjoy your day!

Sep 04, 2011 02:09 AM