Some Labor Day History
from our founder, Diva Kathryn
In 1884, The Knights of Labor wanted a day to work out labor disputes and thought of the idea of Labor Day. It was not until 1894 that President
Grover Cleveland signed the bill making Labor Day a National Holiday.
Throughout the years Labor Day has become a symbol of the end of summer, and more a day off than one to honor working men and women, more even than to discuss labor disputes.
Let's all remember the reason for Labor Day and honor all who work to support their families. Let us also remember the reason for the day, and keep in mind the working conditions and help to keep all labor disputes at a minimum.
We, the Diva's, have adopted this fairy from Diva Cheri to help us in our labor of keeping this page neat and tidy! ~G~
Cheri's observation of Labor Day:
As long as I remember, we always watched the Jerry Lewis Telethon. I feel this is on worthy telethon and have alway enjoyed watching and waiting to see if Jerry meets his goal. And every year he does. *G*
Some Labor Day Thoughts from Diva Peg
Printer's ink runs deep in our family veins. After my paternal Grandfather passed away, it was necessary for my Grandmother to seek employment to keep the family financially solvent. If you think there are unfair labor practices NOW, just think of being a woman in the 30's and 40's!! She had worked in the printing business with my Grandfather, and was an experienced linotype operator. This was in the days when fonts were "physical", kept by size and style in wooden trays. Each letter had to be picked up by hand and set in place. A page of print was a tedious and glorious accomplishment! She always impressed upon us Grands that it would never have been possible for her to obtain or keep her job in this male-dominated field if not for union backing. We sang the ditty that was popular at the time, that went "So always look for -- the Union label --" and because the emblem looked rather like an insect, she would say, "If it has the bug, give it a hug!" And look we surely did, whether it be on clothing, appliances, whatever. She MEANT it when she said,
"The Union supports me. YOU support the Union!"
Labor Day At Our House, from Diva Barbara
Labor day for many years has been a time for family and watching the Jerry Lewis telethon. Many a time have we set up all night watching all that wonderful entertainment.. and taken short naps in front of the TV only to awaken and watch some more. And all the time hoping that even one child or adult can be helped from all the millions that flow in for this.
I have heard it said that the monies do not go as it is stated that it does.. I don't know .. but really love to think that it does and is truly a labor of love for those who are putting this on.~S~
Diva Velma gave "Labor Day" a double meaning!!
Labor Day of 1952 is very vivid in my mind still. The house we were
renting was going to be sold at auction, which meant we had to move. The
fact that I was eight and a half months pregnant, big as a cow carrying
a 9 pound 4 oz. baby made no difference. Lacking funds to hire a mover,
we moved in our car, and
a borrowed pick up truck. I did more than my share of the packing, and
getting ready to move. I was carrying a large load of clothing on
hangers, and fell off the edge of the porch, spraining my ankle badly. I
just bound it up with a strip of cloth and continued with the move. I
had a bad case of hemorrhoids, and didn't feel like sitting down,
anyway.
Knowing that the baby could come any day, I hurried as fast as my
clumbsy body would let me, and washed all the cottage curtains, which
had to be starched and ironed, and cleaned all the windows before
putting them up. On the evening of September 2, Labor Day, I got a
tremendous back ache--labor had not started like this with the other two
sons. I, feeling that my time had come, took a shower, shampood my
hair, and cleaned the bathroom after myself. Mac was very good to help
me with any other work, but he wouldn't clean the bathroom with a ten
foot pole. I went to bed, but it wasn't long until it was imminent that
I must get to the hospital. Getting the doctor out of bed, I went ahead
to the hospital. He got there just in time to catch our Paul Wayne
McMahan, 9 pounds 4 ounces. He did have time to ask me what I wanted, a
girl or a boy. I wanted a girl so badly because we had two boys already.
It wasn't to be this time, and later we had our 4th son. After seeing
him, and holding him in my arms, I was so thankful that he and I were
alright, and he tugged at my heart strings; so all was well on that
Labor Day of 1952.
And here is Diva Charlene's fondest recollection on this Labor Day 2000
My fun this summer was going to visit my daughter during her month long stay at the TN. Governor's School for the Arts. It was a great honor for her and a time she can treasure for the rest of her life.
(Editor's note: Charlene spent most of the summer engaged in her own "labor of love"... making her dining room -- and lots of her self -- about the color of this page!)
From Diva WindRider, on the Canadian Labour Day:
This Labour Day, I will be working and it should be quite a busy time. However I am thankful for the work I do and if it makes a tiny difference to one person, then I have accomplished something. I am thankful to have such a wonderful calling, as a lot of people don't have the same chance I have of doing something I enjoy so much.
Labour Day also reminds me of the family dinner we would have on the Sunday. All the family together, sitting in my mother's rose garden, sharing a wonderful outdoor meal and sharing laughter and each other's presence. These Labour Days I always will remember.
Kathryn shared this lovely thought from Diva Sharon.
From Diva SueCat
My favorite Labor Day memory would have to be 1971, My husband, Ed, and I got married that weekend, on September 4th.
Every year after that we get an extra day to celebrate our anniversary! We are still going strong after 29 years!
Labor Day means the end of summer and the start of school, but let us not forget to honor the workers who have made this country strong!
