With Labor Day just a couple weeks away, we thought we’d have a quick history lesson, just in case you need a refresher on why we enjoy this glorious long weekend each year. 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. Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, 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 Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
Now, we’re sure you already have your RV park plans in place and reservations made, but do you have all of the awesome camping and party supplies that you need to make this end of summer hurrah the best ever? We’re talking about the outdoor string lights for perfect nighttime ambiance, the portable Weber grill for cooking outdoors, the camp-chair style loveseat perfect for snuggling, or the portable bar that turns your campsite into party central? These are just a few of the awesome items suggested by motorhome.com to really kick it up a notch this year. They’ve put together a list of the must have furnishings and products to help you create your ultimate RV patio space. You can read the entire article and see the complete list of items and where to find them here. Pink flamingos, anyone?
Have any pictures of your ultimate party patio setup? We’d love to see how you roll! You can share them here, or post them on our Facebook page!
