According to one early history of Labor Day, the event originated in connection with a General Assembly of the
Knights of Labor convened in New York City in September 1882.
[8] In connection with this clandestine Knights assembly, a public parade of various labor organizations was held on September 5 under the auspices of the
Central Labor Union (CLU) of New York.
[8] Secretary of the CLU
Matthew Maguire is credited for first proposing that a national Labor Day holiday subsequently be held on the first Monday of each September in the aftermath of this successful public demonstration.
[9][7]
P. J. McGuire, Vice President of the American Federation of Labor, is frequently credited as the father of Labor Day in the United States.
An alternative thesis maintains that the idea of Labor Day was the brainchild of
Peter J. McGuire, a vice president of the
American Federation of Labor, who, after a visit to
Toronto where he saw parades celebrating labor that May,
[10][11] had put forward the initial proposal in the spring of 1882.
[4] According to McGuire, on May 8, 1882, he made a proposition to the fledgling Central Labor Union in New York City that a day be set aside for a "general holiday for the laboring classes".
[12] According to McGuire he further recommended that the event should begin with a street parade as a public demonstration of organized labor's solidarity and strength, with the march followed by a picnic, to which participating local unions could sell tickets as a fundraiser.
[12] According to McGuire he suggested the first Monday in September as an ideal date for such a public celebration, owing to optimum weather and the date's place on the calendar, sitting midway between the
Fourth of July and
Thanksgiving public holidays.
[12]
Labor Day picnics and other public gatherings frequently featured speeches by prominent labor leaders.
[13]
In 1909, the American Federation of Labor convention designated the Sunday preceding Labor Day as "Labor Sunday", to be dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
[9] This secondary date failed to gain significant traction in popular culture, although some churches continue to acknowledge it.
[14]