"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
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.
Founder of Labor Day
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.
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. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day Legislation
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 them developed the movement 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.
A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Tne Blogger Inquirer: Taylor Interviews HeatherScot
THE BLOGGER INQUIRERISSUE # 34
"For Blogging Minds Who Need To Know" ...
Founder:Lucy
Temporary Editor:Bookworm
Editor's Note
Taylor's questions are in Blue
HeatherScot's responses are in black.
Interviews
I had just finished my interview with Lucy and had one more interview to go!
I was excited to go to Ohio ... the "state with the MOST Blogstream bloggers"! I could spend a month there and interview two or three bloggers a day! But on this day, I was meeting Heather!
I couldn't wait. Heather has always made me laugh, but I appreciated that when times were a little tough, she took the time to make me smile. It made me smile to think about it. I was reviewing her posts in my mind while I drove and it seemed like the only thing I could think of was her posts about the squirrels ...
I shoot squirrels. Heather feeds hers. We came to a compromise when she sent me a video of a bird feeder that goes around so fast, it throws the birds off it. LOL ... I nearly spit coffee all over my keyboard when I saw that one.
I was supposed to meet Heather on Paul Newman's houseboat on the Ohio River!
Who knew Paul Newman was from Ohio and who knew that Heather knew him? How cool is that? I was just about there ... There it is! Good! I was ready for a cup of coffee.
I parked, grabbed my notebook and pocketbook locked the car with the remote, turned around and Heather was there! We laughed, hugged and started chattering like old friends. You know, that is the interesting thing about blogging. Even though we don't really KNOW each other, you get to KNOW bloggers as well, and sometimes better than the people in your walking around life because you share stories and who takes time for that anymore? We were met by a steward who was expecting us. He lead us to a beautiful room just off the front deck and asked us if we would like some coffee (Paul Newman Organic Coffee, of course).
I was trying real hard to be cool. I fumbled with my pen and dropped my notebook and Heather giggled, "It's okay. I was a little nervous the first time I met him too." I laughed and sighed with relief. What was I worried about? Heather was here.
The steward returned with coffee and a tray of cookies.
I added cream and sugar to my coffee,
opened my notebook, settled in for our interview, turned on the tape recorder and nodded at Heather that we were about to begin ...
Taylor:Heather, I just have to say this is quite a treat! Ohio is quite a place!Thank you for arranging to have us meet on your friend's house boat!By the way,how many other famous people have you met?
HeatherScot:Oh, Sarah Jessica Parker! She and I are VERY close! I have watched all of her Sex in the City shows and even given her some wardrobe help.
And then there is Drew Carey.
When I taught in Cleveland he would come back to Royalton to visit his home town once in a while and we would hang out at The Flats. He was A LOT of fun! Always kept me laughing!
There was also that summer when Vince Vaughn crashed a family picnic. Now HE is...WOW!
Taylor:That is so cool! You and I have talked about this and I was thinking about it on the way over. How many bloggers are there in Ohio?
HeatherScot:Well, there is River Rat, Ruby13, PolarB, Wayfarer, Wandering Lewis, Fuzzy, Mistress Reba, Grandma Baba, Padma, Dixie, Bella, Kwick, Donna ... seems like there are a few more but my mind isn't thinking to clearly. I think I've had too much sun!
Taylor:What is your favorite part of living in Ohio?
HeatherScot:There really aren't too many disasters that hit us... well, until that awful flooding in NW Ohio!
HeatherScot:We have a good 4 seasons here and life is at a 'just right' pace... not too hurried andnot so slow it puts you in a coma. Taylor:What would you say is the biggest change in your life in the last year?
HeatherScot:My kids being able to go back to public school. I know a lot of people do not care for public school, and, yes, I’ve seen some pretty unsafe and below standard public school systems. But where we live the public schools are wonderful. Kids need the schedule and the social contact. I cyber schooled my son for 4 years and my daughter a year because of their health situation. Now they are well enough to return to public school and it is a wonderful thing! Also, I have gone back to school (college) myself. It is time for ME to get back out in society too and give my brain some more to do!
Taylor:That's great. It sounds good for all of you. Speaking of you getting out, what brought you to Blogstream, and what did you hope to get out of it?
HeatherScot:I saw an advertisement constantly about it running across the top of my email.
HeatherScot:I had been reading about blogs and decided I wanted to try blogging. I didn’t really have any idea what would happen. I just wanted to write stuff that I would write in a diary. OR I could at least write some of my funny little observations like I used to send via e-mail to my friends… they used to make everyone laugh. Somewhere along the way, I lost my inspiration.
Taylor:I like what you write about. I think you still write fun stuff! Speaking of fun, what was the most fun you ever had on Blogstream?
HeatherScot:In the beginning, when blogstream was new, no one used the chat room much.
There used to be what was called ‘running blog’ parties.
I remember having a mock blog trial becuz
someone had made fun of a hat Daisy was wearing in an icon she had up.
Taylor:I remember getting in on a few of those! They were fun! Is there anything in your real life that is a direct result of your time on Blogstream?
HeatherScot:I have learned how to handle opposition and rudeness better.
HeatherScot:I have also learned how to tolerate many and various differences in people.
Taylor:Blogstream is a diverse and eclectic mix, that's for sure! What five 5 bloggers would you want to meet?
because she is easy to talk with and joke with AND she doesn’t live that far from me. Actually, drive time wise, I am really close to Kwick and Donna also.
…oh… so many wonderful women here on the stream! It is hard to mention them ALL!
Taylor:Heather, I agree! I like those ladies too! If money was no object and you could go anywhere you want with the bloggers of your choice, where would you go and what would you do? HeatherScot:I would take EVERYONE to the Grand Canyon and do some sight seeing and hiking… then fly to Scotland and flip some kilts!LOL
Taylor:... LOL ... I can think of several bloggers who would be all about the kilt flippin! The rest of us might need some "encouragement" ... LOL ... What is your favorite alcohol beverage?
HeatherScot:I like whiskey. Mixed with cola, mixed with orange juice, mixed with ginger ale … I just don’t drink it but once or twice a month. And I don’t drink it when I am the only one home with the kids … or ... when they have friends staying over …thus the once or twice a month.
Taylor:Whiskey! You go, Girl! Too strong for me! Let's talk about food.What is your favorite food and can we have the recipe? HeatherScot:I make this poor man’s lobster bisque… my kids LOVE it and it is GREAT with warm rolls.
Just dump it all into a large pan, mix thoroughly, heat and eat! It is a comfort kinda food for a cold evening.
HeatherScot:I also LOVE my husband’s grilled shish kabobs… you know, you alternate thick slices of green pepper, inch cubes of sirloin, thick slices of purple onion, cherry tomatoes, and thick slices of yellow squash… marinate with teriyaki sauce. Grill on low, turn OFTEN.Ooooo YUM!
Taylor:Yum! Both sound WONDERFUL! Warm soups are the BEST kinda comfort food. Irish stews ... Italian Minestrone ... MMM ... What is your nationality or ethnic background?
HeatherScot:I am half Scottish and half British… so part of me is not too fond of the other part.
Taylor:... LOL ... Do you have any family traditions that you celebrate every year because you are Scottish or British? HeatherScot:Not really ... (sigh) ... BUT I have made at least one gingerbread house, from design to finish, every Christmas… except last.
Taylor:I think that's a GREAT tradition, Heather. Bisque ... Shish Kabobs ... Gingerbread ... Yum! Changing the subject ... What 5 CD's are currently in your player?
HeatherScot:Very upsetting true story about how lazy our legal system is… more interested in closing a case even if they don’t have the right person in jail.
Taylor:What is the best book you ever read?
HeatherScot:“Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven” by Fanny Flagg. Hilarious!
Taylor:That's a good one. What is your favorite word?
HeatherScot:Favorite WORD? I love them all equally… well, there may be a few I would make sleep in the barn.
Taylor:Sleep in the barn? ... LOL ... I suppose those would be your least favorite words ... which is?
HeatherScot:F**k(it is used WAY too often in place of intelligent words)
Taylor:What is your favorite curse word?
HeatherScot:I don’t know if curse words are EVER my favorite but I do tend to say “Shit”when I am overly frustrated. Or sometimes I say “son of a Byzantine” I don’t know if that counts as a curse word!
Taylor:... LOL... What sound or noise do you love?
HeatherScot:Waves hitting the shore…I could listen to that 24/7
Taylor:What sound or noise do you hate?
HeatherScot:That freakin “EEE…EEE…EEEEEEEEEE” of the alarm clock in the morning!
Fresh baked bread! Can they put that in one of those plug in room deodorizers?
Taylor:Oh! I would like that. Do you know I read somewhere that men are really turned on by the smell of cinnamon rolls ... so next time you bake bread, might want to add some cinnamon? (wink and giggle) Speaking of turn-ons, what turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally]?
HeatherScot:Messing around on my electronic piano keyboard…
it calms me and I love making the various instrument sounds
just sitting on my back porch swing and enjoying my flower gardens or watching the animals is a very good thing for me, also.
Taylor:What turns you off?
HeatherScot:Argumentative people… you know, the ones that are SURE that their opinion is the one right one, the most intelligent, and if anyone else has a different opinion or view of something then they must be stupid.
Taylor:Me too! This is where we usually ask that embarrassing underwear question ... but ... Bookworm and I talked about this one and decided on a substitute question ... So for the first time in Blogger Inquirer history, can you tell us one of the funniest things that has happened to you (that you are willing to talk about - of course)?
HeatherScot:I don't get scared in those haunted house things that are so prevalent around Halloween... after all, it's all fake, right?
HeatherScot:There was a time, though, that I went to this 'haunted roller rink' with a guy. I was in my mid 20's. You had to go through this pitch black maze, in the middle of the whole thing. The walls closed in and the ceiling got lower and then it would open up ...remember...pitch black... it seemed like it went on forever. I am rather claustrophobic so after a while I was starting to get REALLY anxious. We finally made it to the end and stepped into a room where there was a guy waiting with a chain saw...
HeatherScot:I started screaming my head off! I don't know why! I think it was from the claustrophobia... but I shrieked and shrieked and refused to leave the tunnel... no one could get me to move! I think my date was embarrassed! So the guy finally shut off the chain saw and motioned me to go past! I was SO embarrassed!
Taylor:Yikes! That scares me just to think of it, Heather! This is a good time to ask: What is your favorite way to unwind? HeatherScot:Comedy…I love to listen to comedians! Sinbad, Jim Gaffigan, Steven Wright, Ralph Harris, John Pinette…
HeatherScot:I LOVE to laugh! I also love comedy movies…GOOD ones. A lot of comedies are just juvenile… and I know this wasn’t the most intelligent comedy I’ve seen in a long time but I watched
HeatherScot:‘Wild Hogs’with my kids and their friends one night and there were some things in there that just got me to laughing so hardI could hardly catch my breath! And when I get to laughing like that, it makes my kids’ friends laugh. My favorite show this summer was “Last Comic Standing”.
Taylor:What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I have always wanted to but just have never had the time.
Taylor:What profession would you not like to do?
HeatherScot:Bus driver. Busman Terry … I don’t know what they pay you, buddy … but it is NOT enough!
Taylor:LOL ... Just two more questions ... Your middle name?
HeatherScot:Sue. Boring. When I was teaching, and a kid was being ornery and didn't like the punishment he/she got and said, "My parents will sue!" I would say, "Go ahead ... Sue's my middle name!" They would look at me with a blank stare and I would say, "Really, it is!" And they would laugh and that would be the end of it.
Taylor:... LOL ... This interview and being here on Paul Newman's house boat has been HEAVEN for me, and that is our last question: If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say to you when you arrive?
HeatherScot:Well, since I do believe Heaven exists, when I get there I want God to say,
HeatherScot:“Welcome…you passed!Pull up a cloud and relax!” I am afraid though that He will say, “You just squeaked in under the wire… I am afraid you will have to spend eternity standing up in that crowded room over there!” ... LOL ...
Taylor:... LOL ... Heather, I might be sharing the corner with you! ... LOL ...
Just as the interview ended, Paul Newman entered the room. Taylor forgot how to talk, stood up and dropped her notebook ... again. Taylor looks to Heather for help and Heather winks, smiles reassuringly, and whispers, HeatherScot:"It's okay. He's really a nice guy."
Paul Newman hugs Heather and turns to hug Taylor too, "Welcome to my place. Any friend of Heather's is a friend of mine!"
