Lodge #1942 News

Ken-Ton, NY Lodge News

Labor Day is celebrated to honor the social and

economic achievements of American workers and

acknowledge their significant contributions to the

nation's prosperity and well-being.

It originated in the United States during the late

19th-century labor movement, with the first celebration

being held in New York City on September 5, 1882,

and its establishment as a federal holiday formalized

by President Grover Cleveland in 1894.

Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was

recognized by labor activists and individual states.

After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and

1886, a movement developed to secure state

legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a

bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing

Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887 four

more states (Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and

New York) passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday.

By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and

Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more

states had adopted the holiday. On June 28, 1894,

Congress passed an act making the first Monday in

September of each year a legal Holiday.

While the exact founder is unknown, scholars credit

either Peter J. McGuire of the carpenters' union or

Matthew Maguire of a machinists' local with proposing

the holiday to honor workers' contributions and

advocate for better conditions amidst poor factories

labor and exploitation.

Note: In many other countries Labor Day is celebrated

on May 1st. It is often viewed as the end of summer but

it does mark an important day for all workers, even if

not all workers realize it.