By KATELYN FINDLEY
Feature Editor
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day is an American holiday selected to be the first Monday of September.
This Holiday is to celebrate and appreciate the hard work of the American people. It first came to light in the late 19th century through laborers who petitioned the government to put in place a holiday to recognizing workers.
The activist Matthew Maguire is believed to be the real person behind creating the day. The more well-known Peter J. McGuire has been awarded credit , but no one really knows who began the movement.
Before Labor Day was officially established on June 28, 1894, labor activists recognized it. The movement began in 1885-1886 to develop and secure legislation. Oregon was officially the first state to pass legislation on Feb. 21,1887.
In 1887 four more states had joined Oregon and by the year 1894, 25 states all had legislation recognizing this day. In 1894 the government officially passed legislation to make it a government holiday. The bill was signed by President Grover Cleveland.
NWOSU will be closed for the holiday on Sept. 2.
