Hello everyone, hope your summer is a great one. September is here and so is Labor Day. Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day is observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday. Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title. Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. 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. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with – a street parade to exhibit "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day.
Facts about Labor Day:
1. The idea first became public in 1882.
2. The New York parade inspired other unions.
3. Grover Cleveland helped make Labor Day a national holiday.
4. Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog season.
5. THE BIG QUESTION> Can you wear white after Labor Day? This old tradition goes back to the late Victorian era, where it was a fashion faux pas to wear any white clothing after the summer officially ended on Labor Day. The tradition isn’t really followed anymore. Emily Post explained the logic behind the fashion trend – white indicated you were still in vacation mode at your summer cottage.
Local Events:
1. Bluff City Heritage Day Sept 30th 9am to 1pm
2. Haunted Graham Mansion Sept. 29th- 30th Oct 6th–7th Oct 13th-14th Oct 20th – 21st
3. National Storytelling Festival Oct. 6th – 8th
4. Erwin Apple Festival Oct. 6th – 8th
5. Music & Culture Festival Oct 13th – 15th Damascus Va.
6. Fall-O-Dendron Festival Oct 14th Roan Mtn.
7. Bike Bash Oct 14th at TN Hills Brewstillery 3pm – 7pm
8. Howl-O-Ween Car Show Oct 21st Winged Deer Park JC, TN for Misfit Hounds
9. The Battletown Witch Festival Oct 28th 11am – 6pm Meade Olin Park Brandenburg, KY
10. Trick or Treat Oct 31st 4pm – 8pm Downtown Johnson City, TN
Bike Nights:
1. Wednesday – 19E Pit Stop
2. Friday – Tulips
Rallies:
1. June Bug Sept 28th – Oct 1st
2. 1st Annual Smoky Mtn Bike Week Sept 30th – Oct 7th
3. Myrtle Beach Fall Rally 2nd – 8th
4. Fall Field Meet Dirt Drags Washington County KY Peacemakers
5. Thunder Beach Autumn Rally Panama FL. Oct 23rd – 29th
Rides:
1. Warthogs MC 91 Tour of Tennessee Poker Run Sept. 30th Black Wolf KSU at 11am
2. Ghost Riders Poker Run for the Kids Sept. 30th KSU 10.30am Carter County Club House
3. Leonard’s Ride registration 10am KSU 12pm Guardian Riders Club House