By Vickie Rhodehamel
Arcanum News
American’s first celebrated Labor Day in 1882, and it became a federal holiday in 1894. On the morning of September 5, 1882, a crowd of spectators filled the sidewalks of lower Manhattan near city hall and along Broadway. They had come early, well before the Labor Day parade marchers, to claim the best vantage points from which to view the first Labor Day parade. Just after 10 a.m., the marching jewelers turned onto lower Broadway — they were playing “When I First Put This Uniform On,” from Patience, an opera by Gilbert and Sullivan. The police escort then took its place in the street. When the jewelers marched past McCabe and his aides, they followed in behind. Then, spectators began to join the march. Eventually, there were 700 men in line in the first of three divisions of Labor Day marchers. Final reports of the total number of marchers ranged from 10,000 to 20,000 men and women.
With all the pieces in place, the parade marched through lower Manhattan. The New York Tribune reported that: “The windows and roofs and even the lamp posts and awning frames were occupied by persons anxious to get a good view of the first parade in New York of workingmen of all trades united in one organization.” At noon, the marchers arrived at Reservoir Park, the termination point of the parade. While some returned to work, most continued on to the post-parade party at Wendel’s Elm Park at 92nd Street and Ninth Avenue; even some unions that had not participated in the parade showed up to join in the post-parade festivities that included speeches, a picnic, an abundance of cigars, and “Lager beer kegs… mounted in every conceivable place.” From 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. that night, nearly 25,000 union members and their families filled the park and celebrated the very first Labor Day.
Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with – a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day, often time heralded as the last holiday of the summer season. Hope you were able to celebrate in some way with your friends and family.
Save the Date! The Arcanum Preservation Society will present Fulton: The Music Man of Arcanum on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Opera House at 2 p.m. This is an Ohio Open Doors Event. Join them for a look at Arcanum’s very own Music Man, Mr. Benjamin F. Fulton. In addition, they will be offering building tours and a screening of the 1962 film “The Music Man”. Be sure to grab your popcorn before you head to the auditorium. You won’t want to miss this! The Arcanum Opera House is located at 104 W. South Street, Arcanum.
Want to help support our local Fire Department? The Arcanum Fire Company invites you to “Dine to Donate” at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1485 Wagner Avenue, on September 11, 2024, from 4 to 9 p.m. BWW will donate 15 percent of your total bill to the Arcanum Fire Company if you present the AFD flyer; check out https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=897096785786685&set=a.297067109122992 on Facebook to get a copy of the flyer.
Mark your calendars for the special Arcanum Purple Heart event! Since the event is being held on such a historic day, tributes will also be paid to those affected by 9/11. Those interested in being part of the golf cart parade, please plan on being at the Arcanum Family Dollar by 6:15. Feel free to decorate your golf carts/ ATV/Razors. The Village is looking for 32 golf carts/ATV/Razors that would be willing to display a Purple Heart Inductee’s picture on their cart. Please contact Julie Miller at the Village Office if interested, by emailing [email protected] or calling 937-692-8500. The parade will commence at 6:30 p.m. and proceed to the Arcanum VFW, 311 S. Albright Street for the Purple Heart Induction Ceremony at 7 p.m. Dinner is available at the VFW via donation (pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, and chips).
Attention, Ohio elementary school teachers and students – The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Annual Fire Safety Poster Contest is back! Entries are due to your local fire department by Sept. 30, so get your crayons, markers or colored pencils and show them some ways that Ohioans can stay safe from fires! Learn more about the contest at com.ohio.gov/SFMPosterContest.
“Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man, which will give his political freedom reality.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” —Newt Gingrich
