NEWS
History of Labor Day in America
Labor Day: What it Means
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.
Labor Day Legislation
The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 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 1887 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 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1884, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
Founder of Labor Day
More than a century 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 co-founder 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.
NEWS
Dollar General Market now open in Sunset
The new Dollar General Market in Sunset is now open at 325 State Highway 101.
The new DG Market store format features an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as the same categories, brands and products customers trust Dollar General to carry.
“We are excited to provide Sunset residents with our new DG Market format and look forward to welcoming customers to our new location,” said Matthew Simonsen, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “At Dollar General, we are committed to serving our customers with a pleasant shopping experience and strive to be a good corporate citizen. The new DG Market format will provide the Sunset community with closer access to fresh and healthier foods and a convenient location to purchase the items they want and need at everyday low prices. We hope our customers will enjoy the new store.”
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
NEWS
Nocona Chamber of Commerce presents annual awards
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The Nocona Chamber of Commerce was in “Full Bloom” Monday night as its celebrated the past year and welcomed new officers and directors for the new term.
Following the floral them of “In Full Bloom,” the banquet tables were colorfully decorated by members using spring colors and flowers or promoting their own business.
Chamber Board President Emory Roden, entering the second year of a two-year term, brought the welcome, followed by Emily Carminati, executive director, who introduced the new officers that include Roden, Susie Grant as vice president, Bob Taylor as treasurer and Heather Morris, secretary. Board members are Amber Harper, Becky Fenoglio-Hankamer, Corissa Miller, Donna Lemons, Glenda Womble, Jason Castle, Jodi Womble, Kristal Ferguson, Mandy Kirkpatrick, Marie Molsbee and Monica Sterling.
Roden presented the Citizen of the Year award, which he said this year was instead going to a pair of citizens who kept being mentioned during the nomination process. The award went to Nellann McBroom and Dennis McBroom for their efforts to improve and support Nocona.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Pictured at the top: Dennis and Nellann McBroom received the Citizens of the Year Award presented by Nocona Chamber President Emory Roden. (News photo by Barbara Green)
NEWS
Tank truck, pickup crash injures one
One person went to the Bowie emergency room following this accident on U.S. Highway 81 and Applegate Road at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday. Department of Public Safety officers report a truck tractor tanker was north bound on Hwy 81 driven by Michael Logan, 57, Duncan, OK. A passenger car moved into the left lane to pass the truck and Logan reportedly tapped his brakes, that locked up causing him to jack-knife across the highway. As the tanker crossed into oncoming traffic a southbound Dodge Ram 2500 pickup driven by Bradley Werner, 49, Lavaca, AZ struck the tanker. Werner was transported by Bowie EMS to the ER with undisclosed injuries. Texas Department of Transportation crews arrived on the scene to assist while debris and vehicles were removed from the highway. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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