Do You Know The History Behind Labor Day, Greenwich?

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Most residents know that Labor Day means a three day weekend and the unofficial end to summer, but do you you know the history behind the holiday?

Labor Day may mean an opportunity to fire up the grill, but do you know the history behind the holiday?
Photo Credit: *Flickr*

Joe Jenkins

09/07/2015 4:00 a.m.

Labor Day is set aside to recognize the social and economic achievements of laborers throughout the country, but more than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday, according to the Department of Labor.

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 hard-working Americans.

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.

Regardless of who created the holiday, enjoy the long weekend, Fairfield County. And keep up the good work.

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