Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Labor Day Legislation
Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
Founder of Labor Day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
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 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 Matthew Maguire, a machinist, 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, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
The First Labor Day
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.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day Legislation
Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “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. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Scurich Insurance Services wishes you a Happy Labor Day!
Scurich Insurance Services has proudly served the Monterey Bay area since 1924. Scurich will take care of all of your insurance needs. Are you a business owner, did you get a new car or maybe you are looking to protect your family in the event of a tragedy? Give us a call, we can help!
We are located at:
Scurich Insurance Services
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Information provided by: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm
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Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if you still haven’t found a gift for your dad, you may want to consider getting him a tablet.
Nowadays, finding a quality Android tablet for less than $200 is not only possible but also pretty easy. So if you’re looking for a last-minute gift that shows you care, here are some of the best tablets you can buy for less than $200.
Nexus 7 – $199
Google’s Nexus 7 was one of the first quality tablets to become available for less than $200 when it launched last year. The device runs on the latest version of Android, is great for gaming and features an excellent high-definition screen. For $199, you can get a 16-gigabyte version.
Amazon 7-inch Kindle Fire HD – $179 through June 15
If you’re looking for a device built for reading e-books as well as watching movies and TV shows, then you may want to consider the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD. This tablet has a great HD screen and comes with 16 GB of storage, but more importantly, it has access to Amazon’s vast catalog of digital content. Normally, the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD costs $199, but Amazon is discounting it $20 if you buy before Saturday.
Amazon 7-inch Kindle Fire – $159
You can also purchase the non-HD 7-inch Kindle Fire if you want to save more money. The major difference between this tablet and the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD will be the image quality and the fact that it only has 8 GB of storage.
Nook HD 8 GB and 16 GB – $129 and $149
The best Father’s Day discount, though, comes from Barnes & Noble. The giant book retailer is discounting its Android tablets nearly $100. The 8-GB model, which normally costs $199, is down to $129, while the 16-GB Nook HD has been discounted to $149 until the sale ends Sunday when stores close. The Nook HD isn’t as great as what Google and Amazon offer, but recently, Barnes & Noble added the Google Playdigital store to its device, giving it access to much more content than before.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 – $169.99
Fans of the Samsung brand will want to consider the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. This tablet features a 7-inch HD display and comes with 8 GB of storage that can be easily expanded using a microSD card, unlike Amazon’s or Google’s tablets. As usual, Samsung has stuffed this tablet with features you won’t find on many of its rivals, including 50 GB of cloud storage through Dropbox and an infrared censor that lets you use the Galaxy Tab as a remote control for your TV.
Idolian Mini Studio – $158
If you don’t want to settle for a 7-inch screen, the Idolian Mini Studio is available for $158 and features an 8-inch HD display. The Android 4.1 tablet comes with all of the basics that you look for in a tablet, including rear and front-facing cameras, a microSD slot and 16 GB of storage. Its aluminum back cover also makes it a good choice if you want an iPad look-alike. You can now get itonline for $158.
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The following article was taken from: Watsonville Patch
“Over the holidays until Jan. 15, locals contributed food to Second Harvest donation centers around Santa Cruz County.
Their goodwill paid off.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County raised 3.6 million pounds of food for its holiday food drive, Development Director Steve Bennett Thursday.
“Volunteers have been sorting the food and our 200 member agencies have begun distributing it to hungry people throughout Santa Cruz County,” said Bennett, pointing out that the food will be enough to feed people through March — a period when need is the greatest.
The money raised through the drive will be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the non-perishable items, said Bennett.
The need for food aid in Santa Cruz County is up 38 percent, according to Second Harvest, which feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County each month.”
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For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services today at 800-320-3666.
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Taken from http://www.army.mil/article/71393/New_Year_s_Eve_Safety_Tips/
“New Year’s Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities. Whether you’re staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you’re traveling to a party or city bash, following a few safety tips will ensure that you’re safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the New Year!
• Designate a Driver: If you are going to be driving New Years Eve, don’t drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. You might even be on the water this New Years Eve. The person in charge of navigating the boat needs to be cautious, and this still applies to them! It is important to be safe on the water as well, so drink sensibly.
• Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It’s important to keep an eye out for each other.
• Don’t Drive: If you don’t have to go behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous accident by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seatbelt! Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab is too expensive, crashing at a friend’s place nearby is a convenient solution.
• Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment is imperative.
• Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Year’s Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.
• Don’t forget about your pets! They are just as much a part of the family as everyone else. If you are using fireworks, anything with loud noises, or fire, be sure that pets are kept at a distance as well as children. None of these are a good mix.
• Be careful with open flames: If you’re burning candles, incense or oil burners, remember to extinguish them before you turn in or before you leave the room they are burning in. Pay extra attention to pets and children around open flames.
• Be extra careful with Fireworks: If you are letting off fireworks in a residential area, be sure to practice proper safety precautions when using them. Let off fireworks in a field or other open area where homes and power lines are out of site. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never try to re-light a firework that did not go off when first lit. Also, be sure pets and children are at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited. Finally, always have an adult present when using any type of firework.
Everyone wants to have an unforgettable night (in a good way!). By simply using some common sense, we can keep it that way. Ring in the New Year safely!”
At this time Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy New Years. Just as a reminder our offices will be closed on Tuesday January 1st 2012.
Scurich Insurance Servicesdid not originally write this article.
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