How Labor Day Came To Be

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.

The Founder Of Labor Day

It’s been over 100 years since the first Labor Day observance, but there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, who was the 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 many challenge Peter McGuire’s contribution and believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.

And some recent research seems to support that it was Matthew Maguire, who was later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J.

It’s believe that he proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

Even though the exact founder isn’t certain, 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.

Source: Department Of Labor

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