A Late-Summer Holiday Story
Why We Rest: Been working hard lately? We hope you get a break for the Labor Day holiday on September 1. Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September, a tradition that goes back 126 years in the U.S. The holiday “is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and “constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” There is some disagreement about who first came up with the idea of the holiday. Information provided by the Department of Labor indicates that some historians credit Peter J. McGuire, who served as general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and as a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor back in the 19th Century. Others believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. The only thing clear, according to the federal agency, is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. Those marked the first steps toward a holiday that is now widely recognized throughout the U.S. So say thanks to McGuire—or Maguire—and enjoy the rest of your Labor Day holiday.
Friday, August 29
6 p.m.
Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN)
Residents Organizing Committee
456 S. Main St.
Free
(213) 228-0024
Tuesday, September 2
6 p.m.
LAPD Rampart Area Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB)
Good Samaritan Hospital,
2nd floor
647 Lucas Street
Free
(213) 847-1903
Wednesday, September 3
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Toastmasters #616
Weekly meeting by organization dedicated to helping people improve their public-speaking
Meeting Room A, Los Angeles Central Library
630 W. 5th Street
Free
(213) 891-7257
Thursday, September 4
6 p.m.
Legal Clinic for Residents
Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN)
456 S. Main Street
Free
(213) 228-0024
8 p.m.
“Burning Museum: Electric Zine”
Exhibit of various films in-progress, music videos, plus shorts by curator Joshua Triliegi
Echo Park Film Center
1200 N. Alvarado
$5
(213) 484-8846
Friday, September 5
12 noon
Farmlab Public Salons
“Lectures and discussions about art, the environment, economics, cultural history, and more”
1746 N. Spring Street, #4
Free
(323) 226-1158
6 p.m.
Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN)
Residents Organizing Committee
456 S. Main St.
Free
(213) 228-0024
