
How Labor Day Began
On September 5, 1882 in New York City the first Labor Day in the U.S. was celebrated as a “workingman’s holiday” when (despite the threat of mass firings!) workers united in a parade 10,000 strong down Broadway proudly led by Irish-American activist Peter MacGuire.
A holiday was born.
From New York, the idea spread across the country to honor workers every year. Congress finally passed official legislation in 1894 making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday. This year, it falls on September 1, 2008.
You don’t have to get too fancy for this last great summer bbq. You can do this at your home, the local park, or the beach. Keep it simple with the food, decorate in red white and blue, and have fun games for the kids to play. All American food should be on the menu!
- hot dogs
- hamburgers
- potato chips
- corn on the cob
- watermelon
- root beer floats (don’t forget the straws)
- cupcakes decorated colored sprinkles
- homemade ice-cream (kids take turns cranking) or make your own sundaes
- strawberry shortcake or parfaits
Have relay races, a water balloon toss, hoola hoop contests, sidewalk chalk drawing, bocce ball, a family dodge ball game, or softball game!
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