The History of Labor Day

The History of Labor Day
The Movement That Created More Than Just a Holiday

Peter McGuire was already working at age eleven, selling newspapers on the streets of New York City, shining shoes, cleaning stores and running errands. It was his job to help support his mother and six brothers and sisters when his father went away to fight in the Civil War in 1863.

Peter’s parents were among several immigrants who had settled in New York, and among the majority finding the dream to not be what they had imagined. Living and working conditions were poor; families crowded into single family dwelling and everyone worked long hours for low wages, including the children. It was difficult to complain about the work when so many were eager to take jobs that others may lose.

In his late teens Peter began classes in the evenings in economics and social issues. A concern among those attending these meetings were labor conditions. Finally, after enough talk of these issues and support among the masses, 100,000 workers, including McGuire, went on strike and marched the streets, demanding a shorter work day. Deeply moved by the organization, Peter realized the importance of workers rights and spent the next year speaking to workers and unemployed people, and lobbying to city governments on their behalf. He strived for jobs and relief money to be provided to the workers, while he himself was out of a job. He traveled, speaking to workers of the idea of unionizing. Peter moved to St. Louis in 1881 in an effort to form a carpenter’s union, and at a convention in Chicago he succeeded in forming a national union of carpenters. He took the position of General Secretary of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

Soon the concept of unions spread, and workers of several trades began to organize, demanding a shorter work day and security in their jobs. Peter McGuire planned a holiday for workers the first Monday of each September. On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City, followed by picnics and fireworks around the city.

As it turns out, we have this man to thank not only for an extra day off work, but also for his bravery in enforcing an idea of organization of workers to strengthen the fight for fair working conditions and job security. After all, these are the type of people who deserve credit for the growth and prosperity of our country, and the opportunities available to every American.

There is some dispute as to who actually founded Labor Day. Some insist that credit is due a man by the name of Matthew Maguire, a machinist, and the Secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, who was said to have proposed a working man’s holiday in 1882 during his service as Secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

By Jennifer Thompson, Column Editor and Contributing Writer.

Published U. S. Legacies September 2003