More than 100 years after our first Labor Day celebra- tion, there is still doubt as to who was responsible for the holiday. Some say it was Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor while others say it was Matthew Maguire, a machinist, who was the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J. who proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. It was Peter McGuire who joined with his friend Samuel Gompers to found the American Federation of Labor (AFL) which were responsible for the adoption of the eight-hour workday. But wait, it was Matthew Maguire who led strikes intended to force the plight of manufacturing workers and their long hours into the public eye. He is said to be the father of Labor Day. It was said that Maguire held some political beliefs that were considered fairly radical for the day as did Gompers so Gompers friend Peter McGuire was assigned the credit for the creation of Labor Day based on Canada's labour festival held in Toronto.
1st Labor Day Parade in New York City. |
"Still remember that when someone bought a can of Campbell's soup, that was 3 for $.49, I rang up $.17." Maybe you should have used your phone.
ReplyDeleteWoody Guthrie "You can't get me, I'm part of the Union".
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