Origins of Labor Day

Today was a day that many of us enjoyed because we didn't have to go in to our regular job. It is now a day of rest for many and a signal of the end of summer for others. How many of you actually remember learning about the origins of Labor Day? I had some inkling, learned about it in grade school, but thought a refresher course may be in the cards. The cool things about Memorial Day and Labor Day for me was that one was the last Monday of the month, and the other was the first Monday of the month. There was a symmetry about that which I always appreciated.

I always remember that the summer is bracketed by two holidays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. As a kid, I would occasionally get the two holidays mixed up because they both represented something about summer and school. School would end shortly after Memorial Day and start up again right after Labor Day. Now with different schools taking different holidays, and some schools essentially year-round schools, Labor Day does not quite mean the same thing anymore. No more end to those long relaxing summer days. No more vacations... time to get ready for school and start thinking about cold weather. I am not even sure if the school systems teach the origins of Labor Day anymore, so here is a brief history lesson.

In the late 1800's working conditions were not very hospitable. There were more often than not extremely long hours, low pay and uncertain jobs. Children worked alongside their parents and there was no sick pay allowed. People were afraid to stay home sick for fear that they would be replaced by others eagerly looking for work. Essentially it was an employers market, and many of the employers took advantage of the workers. In time, a man named Peter McGuire, son of an Irish immigrant, got tired of the long hours, poor work conditions and started learning about economic and social issues of his day. There was talk of organizing workers in order to pressure the managers to improve working conditions and shorten work hours.

In time, organizing workers according to their trade spread across the country and those organized groups became the labor unions that we know now. These organized blocks of workers were better able to negotiate improved work environments and shorter work hours for decent pay. The unions were also able to make the jobs the workers had more secure, including being allowed sick time. Peter McGuire decided that a planned holiday for organized workers would be a good idea. They chose early September (about half way between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day) as appropriate for an annual holiday. On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City to commemorate the first planned holiday for the workers. In 1884 it was decided that the first Monday in September would be the official holiday. Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

So, now you have had a brief history lesson on the origins of Labor Day. Many people look forward to Labor Day because most businesses are closed and it becomes a last tie to enjoy the remaining summer weather without having to take additional time off of work. Some of us are perhaps more blessed, we do not have a Labor Day observance because we are self-employed. We can take the time off and do nothing, or choose to work, at our discretion. If you are interested in learning how you can earn an additional income or ultimately become self employed, please feel free to contact us through e-mail or check out our website for some income earning ideas.

Until tomorrow...

The Star-Spangled Banner

There has been so much press lately regarding the 4th verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that I was driven to look up the lyrics for myself. I am sure that you have seen and heard the video where a Marine sings the 4th verse, so I became very curious about the entire National Anthem. My first concern was that all I ever learned of our National Anthem was essentially the first verse. If I had been taught the other verses, I have absolutely no recollection. So tonight I thought we could all use a little education on our Nation's Anthem.


I started wondering if this was some form of media hype, with everyone focusing on the 4th verse of our National Anthem, kind of like the pendulum swinging the other direction... so, I felt that it was my duty to look up all the verses of the National Anthem and basically do a little history homework on our National Anthem. Actually what I found out, we should have learned in school, but frankly, I can't remember if I learned that. I do remember learning that Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics as he witnessed the battle between the U.S. and the British Royal Navy at Fort McHenry in the Chesapeake Bay. I do remember that Key was essentially a prisoner on the British ship HMS Surprise when he witnessed the attack on Fort McHenry. After he witnessed the American victory, he was inspired to write the poem the next morning on the back of a letter he had kept in his pocket.


I did learn some very interesting information regarding our National Anthem, whether I had previously learned in grade school is questionable, but hey, grade school was just a few years ago for me too.... So here is a brief refresher on "The Star-Spangled Banner":


It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 with the original poem entitled "Defense of Fort M'Henry". It soon gained popularity when it was sung to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven". The combined poem and tune was officially made the National Anthem by Congress in 1931 even though it had previously been adopted as a national anthem by the Army and the Navy. At the time Francis Scott Key wrote this poem, our flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. I had forgotten this little tidbit of information.


There have been occasions (prior to this current political unrest) where both the first and the fourth stanzas have been sung, so this is not the first time the fourth stanza has been sung. In the fourth stanza, Francis Scott Key urged the adoption of "In God is our Trust" as the national motto. The United States adopted the motto "In God we Trust" by law in 1956.


What else I found to be quite interesting is in researching "The Star-Spangled Banner" there was a 5th verse that was added in 1861 during the start of the Civil War (reference: Wikipedia.org). This 5th stanza only appeared in songbooks of the Civil War era.


I believe that as Americans, we should at least know all the stanzas of The Star-Spangled Banner so, for those of you as curious as I was regarding ALL the stanza's in our National Anthem, here they are (we should all know the first stanza...):

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and the slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand

Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

(this 5th stanza was added in 1861 by Oliver Wendell Holmes and only appeared in songbooks of the Civil War period)

When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,

If a foe from within strikes a blow at her glory,

Down, down with the traitor that tries to defile

The flag of the stars, and the page of her story!

By the millions unchained,

Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,

While the land of the free is the home of the brave.

Until tomorrow...

Happy Independence Day

Well, today is the 4th of July. All countries have a 4th of July, but only the United States celebrates this day as a birthday. Today many will be out with family and friends, celebrating the long weekend and most likely watching a fireworks display later this evening. Hopefully many of you will also be remembering why we celebrate this day as our country's birthday.

For those of you who might want a refresher course in our Nation's history, this day is our 234th birthday. 234 years ago, the United States came into being with the final approval of the Declaration of Independence authored by Thomas Jefferson. The actual legal separation of the colonies from Great Britain actually occurred two days before, on July 2nd, 1776, when a vote of approval was given to a resolution of independence by the Second Continental Congress. The final approval of the Declaration of Independence was given on July 4, 1776. What is interesting though is that most historians have concluded the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776. That was when most of the delegates to Congress at the time penned their names on the document.

The United States' Declaration of Independence may well be the most cited, yet least read or understood document in American History. I found a link that has the Declaration written out so that we can all read it in it's entirety. This site has also provided some music for your reading pleasure: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/07/july-4-declaration-of-independence-text-html

No matter how you choose to celebrate this National Holiday, please take a moment to remember the brave men and women who have fought throughout the years so hard to keep our Nation free. It is because of their sacrifices that we have the freedom and liberty to celebrate 234 years of independence.

Here's to the United States of America. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Until tomorrow...

The American Freedoms Rally

As you may be aware, we are participating in a new rally, The American Freedoms Rally in Corbin, Kentucky. Usually, we do not attend first year motorcycle rallies because attendance is inconsistent. We are making an exception on this rally because of what the motorcycle rally actually stands for. The American Freedoms Motorcycle Rally was designed to bring bikers and the general public together from across the United States to celebrate our Nation's Independence Day. It is also designed to honor the heroes of this great nation, our active duty military, veterans, and those who gave all so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

If you are not familiar with where this event is held, it is at the David L. Williams Southeastern KY Agriculture and Expo Center. The Center, also known as "The Arena" is located in Corbin, KY, right off I-75 and exit 25. As you exit 25, you will turn towards Corbin, "The Arena" is located on top of a hill, behind the Appleby's restaurant. Turn into the road just past Appleby's and go up the hill. You should see the hot air balloon and tents prior to arriving.

This event starts with a kick-off party beginning at 5 pm on Wednesday, June 30th and goes through midnight. There will be a wide variety of events occurring throughout the rally. There will be a pig roast, burn out pits (if you have not had the opportunity to see a burn out competition, this is a great time for that), mechanical bull riding, dunk booth, lots of food, and some great sounding entertainment. We watched them build the stage today and test some of the sound systems, and if these early tests are any indication, the music is going to be awesome.

They are planning a Louisiana Crawfish Boil on Friday, July 2nd which should be a whole lot of fun. On Saturday, July 3rd, they are going to hold a Military Appreciation Day. According to the promoter, this ceremony will rival some of the best in the Nation. I don't want to give anything away, so if you are curious, come on by and see what happens for this Military Appreciation Day as we pay tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces and honor our fallen heroes.

Best of all, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (like the Traveling Wall) will be on display during the whole American Freedoms Motorcycle Rally and Event. If nothing else, this is something that everyone should see at least once.

Hopefully we will see you all here during the weekend. Come on by the booth and say "Hi".

Until tomorrow...