The Irishman who was the ‘father’ of Labor Day

In the US, the first Monday in September is Labor Day; It is the unofficial end of Summer and a federal holiday.​

It is unclear who deserves the credit for bringing Labor Day about.

One candidate was Peter McGuire, a prominent labour leader; the other was Matthew Maguire, a machinist and union organiser. Both men were the sons of Irish immigrants.

Historians have argued for decades over which of the two men should be regarded as the real “father” of Labor Day. Recent research has strengthened the case for Maguire, although there is still no universally accepted answer.

Either way, the origins of one of America’s great public holidays have a strong Irish-American connection.

The first Labor Day parade took place on Tuesday, 5 September 1882.

Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.