Labor Day honors workers of the world

By: Armone' Gates, Editor & Chief Every year around early September on a Monday in the United States and Canada, Labor Day is celebrated near and far. Other countries around the world celebrate it as 'International Workers' Day,' which falls in early May. Due to Labor Day falling on the first Monday of the month, the dates vary between September 1st to September 7th. Labor Day is a day dedicated to the social and economic success and achievements of Americans and Canadians, recognizing the hard work of the many individuals who are a part of the workforce. According to the Department of Labor, 'the first Labor Day in the U.S. was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. There is a question as to who really founded Labor Day, creating a war of McGuire v. Maguire. Peter J. McGuire was the co-founder of the American Federation of Labor He suggested setting aside a day for a general holiday for the laboring classes to honor those 'who from rude nature have delved and craved all the grandeur we behold.' According to the Department of Labor: 'Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the central labor union in New York. 'According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President (Grover) Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece about the first Labor Day.' Since then, Labor Day has been celebrated to give back to workers as a 'thank you' for their time and the work that they put in your job. Many Blazers express what Labor Day means to them and how they are spending this day of rest. Senior applied mathematics major Madison Miller expressed what Labor Day means to her. 'Labor Day feels like a day of recognizing the accomplishments and dedication of the workforce,' said Miller. Senior elementary education major Jared Cotton explained how he's going to celebrate this day off from class. 'I plan on celebrating Labor Day by relaxing and watching a movie, but most of all enjoying my day off from class,' said Cotton.