A Laborious Revolution by Bekka Wiedenmeyer - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

A Laborious Revolution

By Bekka Wiedenmeyer, Community Writer
August 30, 2016 at 04:40pm. Views: 379

ALL >> Summer is nearing its end as August rolls into September. As the grills and lawn chairs are being packed away, parents are looking for the best back-to-school sales on pencils, notebooks and book bags, while kids are dreading the prospect of returning to the classroom. In the midst of the madness, however, is a day that many people seem to take for granted, and one that not many know the history of – Labor Day. Labor Day, a nationally recognized holiday, has customarily been known as the “calm before the storm.” Celebrated in a three-day weekend fashion, Labor Day is a chance for families and friends to get together one last time before real life kicks in and relax, either with a barbecue or trip to the mountains or simply a stay-at-home, do-nothing kind of day. But how and when did Labor Day begin, and most importantly, why? There is some disagreement as to who officially began the observance of Labor Day as a national holiday. The call for improved conditions for labor workers began in the late 19th century, in the middle of the Industrial Revolution of the United States. People of all ages worked long, hard hours just to scrape by with some sort of living. Working conditions were unsafe, and wages were extremely low, especially for those already poor or those who had not quite yet reached the ages of 18, 15 or even 10 (some were even as young as 6). Feelings of unrest and dissension turned into acts of organized protest, and even violence, as workers began to form labor unions and organize strikes against the companies that provided poor pay for long hours. The birth of Labor Day can be credited to two men, though some may argue who was truly the “Father of Labor Day:” Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire. McGuire was the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, and he was quoted as suggesting first the idea of putting aside a day that would be dedicating to honoring those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” Shortly thereafter in 1882, however, machinist Maguire, who would later become the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, suggested the idea of the holiday when he was serving as the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. Regardless of who first initiated the idea, it boiled down to three events — the adoption of a Labor Day proposal by the Central Labor Union, the appointment of a committee to organize a demonstration and the first Labor Day Parade.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 1043

One of the most visible projects Navarro wants to advance is the city’s planned sports complex. He lists its development among his major accomplishments and says residents should evaluate another term partly by whether the city breaks ground and completes project phases. Read more about Mayor Frank Navarro...

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace City Council

By Doug Wilson, Councilmember, Contributing Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:05am. Views: 916

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace since 2014 Speaks out about why he feels Grand Terrace residents deserve to know the facts about Measure “N,” the proposed one-percent sales tax initiative on the ballot this November 3rd.

Photo Courtesy of: The CARE Project inc.

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:09pm. Views: 1026

Photo caption: The CARE Project’s Vice President, Diana Jaurigue, with President & Founder Carrie Madrid, who is wearing the LympheDIVAS compression sleeve on her left arm. Donated compression garments help manage swelling and are essential to daily care for many breast cancer survivors.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:37pm. Views: 470

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) has once again partnered with ALDI for their annual volunteer event, where team members packed over 1,300 food boxes with various shelf-stable items to be distributed for disaster relief as needed.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 2266

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 953

Families enjoy a Halloween trunk-or-treat gathering with decorated vehicles, pumpkins and festive costumes. Grand Terrace has scheduled its 2026 Trunk or Treat celebration for October 31

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 1134

Colton councilmember John Echevarria wants to expand his outreach to residents throughout the city, strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal officials, and build upon what he describes as a record of employee advocacy, neighborhood improvements and community involvement.Learn more about John Echevarria...

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 472

Loma Linda University Children's Health Specialty Clinics, a new five-story, 105,000-square-foot facility designed to bring more than 21 pediatric specialties together. The facility is expected to begin serving patients in early 2027.This is an AI-generated illustration, not a verified photograph of the actual building.

Photo Courtesy of: https://wellri.com

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 426

An October City announcement draws attention to an everyday household practice with benefits for food budgets, kitchen safety and the environment. A basket of fresh produce can represent a week's worth of meals, the results of a successful backyard harvest or an unexpected bargain at the grocery store. Yet without proper storage, even the freshest fruits and vegetables can spoil before a family has an opportunity to use them.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 707

An October announcement highlights how investigative technology and cooperation among law enforcement agencies can help solve crimes affecting Grand Terrace neighborhoods. For residents of Grand Terrace, home is more than an address. It is where families gather, children grow up and neighbors build relationships over many years. When a residential burglary occurs, the effects can extend beyond the property taken or damage caused. A crime inside someone's home can undermine the sense of security that makes a neighborhood feel safe.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 419

The rumble of a commercial truck passing through a city can represent two very different things. For a business awaiting a delivery, it may signal the arrival of essential supplies. For residents living near a busy roadway, it may raise concerns about traffic, noise and safety. In Grand Terrace, finding a reasonable balance between those interests is at the center of an ongoing transportation planning effort.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:49pm. Views: 881

Secure drop box is located outside the Grand Terrace Library, on the west end of the Civic Center building at 22795 Barton Road. According to the City, it will remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is responsible for operating the box, collecting ballots and transporting them for election processing.

--> -->