Labor Day in Phoenix, AZ
By Kent Berk on August 26th, 2014 in ARIZONA, BLOG, Phoenix
Labor Day isn’t just a three-day cookout and party weekend in the Phoenix region this year. Check out Artlink First Fridays in downtown Phoenix, where over 70 galleries will display art for your enjoyment.
According to organizers, “Artlink, Inc. is one of the oldest, all-volunteer run, 501-C-3 arts organizations in Downtown Phoenix. Its mission is to maintain and enhance current regular events, including the monthly First Fridays art walk, the annual Art Detourself-guided tour, a Juried Exhibition and an art-related fundraiser.” Celebrating artistic expression sounds like a delightful way to spend a day commemorating workers!
Labor Day, which falls on September 1, 2014, has been an official federal holiday in the United States for 120 years. The holiday is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” As a federal holiday, non-essential government offices are closed to celebrate Labor Day.
New York celebrated the first Labor Day on September 5, 1882. The event was planned by the Central Labor Union. It isn’t clear who first proposed a celebration of Labor Day, but it was either Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners or machinist Matthew McGuire. Labor Day was first recognized in the United States by local governments in 1885 and 1886.
State legislation recognizing the holiday followed, with five states declaring Labor Day an official holiday in 1887. Another 26 states followed suit by 1894, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed a law declaring Labor Day an official federal holiday. Under the Act, Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September each year.
Take in the arts in Phoenix this September 1st if you have the day off from work. Labor Day’s Artlink First Friday will take place in Downtown Phoenix at 5 E Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ. 85004 between 6pm and 10pm. Admission is free.
Photo copyright:shotsstudio / 123RF Stock Photo
