Monday, September 2, 2024
Sun and clouds. High 79 degrees.
It will be sunny for most of the week, but a possibility of rain on Friday and Saturday.
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Upper West Side News
By Gus Saltonstall
Monday is Labor Day, which is always observed on the first Monday of September. Yes, we have made it to September.
The holiday is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
The day’s origins track back to the late 19th century, when labor activists and individual states began pushing for an official recognition of the contributions workers have made to the well-being of the United States.
In some local pride, New York was actually the first state to introduce a bill to formally recognize the day, but Oregon was the first to pass a law in 1887 to recognize February 21 as Labor Day. Four more states passed local laws that year to recognize the day, and by 1894, nearly 30 states had their own iterations of Labor Day.
On June 28, 1894, the United States Congress officially passed an act to make the first Monday in September a federal holiday.
While there is some debate over the person that originally spearheaded the idea for Labor Day, records do point to Peter J. McGuire in 1882, who was the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and who introduced the idea of a “general holiday for the laboring classes,” according to the U.S. Department of labor.
You can read more about the holiday’s history — HERE.
On this Labor Day, I can say I have never enjoyed my work more than I do at West Side Rag. And, a huge thank you to the readers that count on us to deliver Upper West Side news.
Enjoy the day off, for those who have it!
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So interesting, and important to remember.
A huge thank-you in return to you, Gus–you’re an outstanding reporter and writer–and a splendid photographer, too, I see!👏
Happy Labor Day, New York!🥇 and loud cheers for the West Side Rag team!🌟
That photo is mesmerizing. So beautiful.
Gus – from San Leandro to 79th St. – you are a wonderful journalist. Thank you for all you do to bring us the word. And the photo. Thanks!
Thank you for the great article! Speaking of Labor Day, random question: Did anyone hear lots of music coming from somewhere in Riverside Park, maybe right by the river itself, in the evening at about 6 pm? I’m actually not complaining at all — it didn’t bother me and I assumed it was some kind of end-of-summer celebration. I was just curious because I took a walk from 72nd Street up to about 110th, and no matter where I was, it sounded like the party was right at that spot! Mysteriously, it never really started to sound farther away.