Labor Day: Honoring America’s workers

Today, the first Monday in September, is Labor Day in the US. The legal holiday has been celebrated for more than 100 years and came out of the labor movement. It is a tribute to contributions made by workers.

To many, however, the three-day weekend is the last blast of summer, with many communities’ schools opening on the day after.

For more on the holiday, look at the Department of Labor's Labor Day 2012 page, with videos, resources and more.

Although more than a century old, the actual founder of the day is not certain. Some believe that the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Peter J. McGuire, who was also a founder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to suggest a day to honor workers. Others believe that a machinist, Matthew Maguire – we don’t know if he was related to Peter - founded the day.

Continue reading "Labor Day: Honoring America’s workers" »