Labor Day should be a joyous celebration

Many people are under the impression that like Santa Claus, Valentine’s Day and Halloween, Labor Day is an American holiday contribution. The truth is that we celebrate Labor Day on May 1st because that is the feast day of St. Joseph the worker. The United States celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Here is a brief account of the history of American Labor day:

"It is not known just when or where the idea of having a holiday devoted to the cause of labor originated. The credit of first putting the idea into execution, however, appears to belong to Peter J. McGuire, the Secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York City. In 1882 he corresponded with various other labor organizations in the state about the matter, and on Tuesday, September 5th, a great parade of labor organizations was held in New York City.

"The next year another great labor parade was held on the first Monday in September. In 1884, at the suggestion of George R. Lloyd, of the Knight of Labor, it was decided that all future labor parades should be held on the first Monday of September.

"These celebrations were so successful that the idea was taken up by the labor organizations in other states and agitation was started to induce the legislatures of the various states to declare this day a legal holiday. The matter was taken up by the National Labor Foundation, and before long the first Monday in September was made a legal holiday in most of the states."

So much for the origins of our respective Labor Day celebrations. Now, Labor Day is the day after tomorrow and it seems as if its highlight is going to be a violent confrontation between the oppositionists who want President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step up down and the government forces. We pray that peace prevail on Labor Day. We recall that on Labor Day of 2001, sympathizers of deposed President Joseph Estrada tried to stage another EDSA. We are not against valid political rallies and demonstrations. All we ask is that they should not be held on public holidays. A few days ago, a graduate from a school used the graduation exercises where President Arroyo was the speaker to ask that she step down. She was reminded that her actuation was a violation of Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code that penalizes those who "cause any serious disturbance in a public place, office, or establishment, or shall interrupt or disturb public performances, functions or gatherings or peaceful meetings."

Let’s have a peaceful Labor Day.