Celebrating Labor Day Weekend On Logan Martin Lake
Summer has flown by, and Labor Day has once again slipped up on us. Most of Pell City and the Logan Martin Lake area will be celebrating it as the last unofficial summer holiday on Logan Martin Lake. Before we crank up the boats and jet skis, let's reflect on the reason why we can spend a long weekend celebrating this day.
On September 5, 1882, the original celebration was done by having the first Labor Day Parade in New York City. This date was originally set aside as an acknowledgment for the working men and women by the Labor Unions. It was not celebrated as the official national holiday until 1894.
Historians believe that Peter McGuire, secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, came up with the idea. The New Jersey Historical Society can show some evidence that Matthew Maguire was the first one to come up with the idea. This day was originally supposed to show strength for the labor organizations.
President Grover Cleveland who was not a labor union supporter signed into law designating the first Monday in September as a national holiday. Historians believed President Cleveland rushed it through congress for approval for some much needed political repair. Earlier in that year, President Cleveland sent federal troops to end a strike at the Pullman Co. in Chicago, IL. Thirty four workers were killed during this action.
Membership in Labor Unions is almost a thing of the past. Most of us today relate to celebrating the holiday as one set aside for the working people.
Enjoy your long Labor Day weekend, by playing safe on Logan Martin Lake. It will be nice to be able to reflect back on the good times we had with family and friends.
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