Sunday, September 1, 2019

EVER WONDER HOW LABOR DAY BEGAN?

I wrote this a 
LONG TIME AGO
and thought you might like to read it.


Did you ever wonder why Labor Day
Was formed to give us rest?
Did you wonder how it happened
Why someone formed the quest?

The year was Eighteen Ninety-Four
When the railroad union took a stand,
They refused to switch Pullman cars,
Throughout this grand old land.

They struck for higher wages
When their income was reduced.
Their cost of goods still stayed the same,
And they couldn't be seduced.

George Pullman talked quite loftily
Something they didn't like,
It finally took  US Marshalls
To step in and end the strike.

When George Pullman later died,
His wife and children sobbed,
As they encased his coffin in concrete
So his grave would not be robbed.

After the strike was ended,
Grover Cleveland had his way.
He declared a day to honor workers,
And they called it Labor Day.

Thank you to my forefathers
Who worked the morns and nights,
To create an easier world,
To ensure I had my rights.

I am so very grateful,
That I can have my say,
I know that working is a privilege,
As is celebrating Labor Day.
©Diana Kosmoski/2011

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE!
your photo name

32 comments:

Decor To Adore said...

I absolutely love this Diana. A truly perfect post for Labor Day!

Pam said...

Happy, happy, happy Labor Day Weekend to you. Been a busy one so far for me but thats okay cause I finally am starting to feel like me again! Have a great one.

MadSnapper said...

great poem and says it all

Eileen in Fla. said...

Love it! After many years of Union membership declining, it is on the rise again. People are beginning to see that the disparity between the wages of the folks who do the work are not equitable with the outrageous salaries of the CEO's (just like George Pullman). Not only did the Unions push for child labor laws, but also work safety, the 5-day work week and the 8-hour day. And because of fair wages, America's middle class was created. Happy Labor Day.

Adam said...

People take labor day for granted.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Great poem, Diana! Now labour and rights are under attack and serious erosion in our own times. The country is run by people just like Pullman, if not worse.

Jo said...

What a great poem. Enjoy your long weekend, we had our Bank Holiday last weekend.

Susie said...

Diana, I love your poem. It's perfect. I used to smile bigger about labor day when I worked. LOL. I did spend a great part of yesterday with my daughter Angie and granddaughter Sierra....as Ted went on a weekend fishing trip with his brother Mic. Hope you and your family had a fun weekend. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

jack69 said...

I enjoyed the visit. Yes we are enjoying Labor Day near Oak Ridge, TN. It is nice to be out and on the road, even for a short run.
Good poem!
Sherry & jack

CHERI said...

Girl, you are a Poet and you know it!!!! Hope you have a fun and relaxing Labor Day. Ours this year will be quiet and uneventful.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

We are grateful for all those before us for fighting for the privileges and rights we now have. Unfortunately, those rights can be taken away and we can’t let that happen.

Tom said...

...a interesting new story fo me.

Bill said...

Interesting story, Diana, thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful holiday.

Lowcarb team member said...

Super post.
Happy Labor Day … happy September too.

All the best Jan

Ann said...

This is absoulutely wonderful. A perfect poem. Thanks for sharing it. Enjoy your labor day.

Junkchiccottage said...

Very interesting post. Hope you are having a great holiday weekend.
Hugs,
Kris

Anne said...

I remember this post and grateful for the Labor Day holiday. I am leaving my blog address to see if you can leave a comment there. That blogger is a naughty one. Good to see you my friend. HUGS and LOVE
https://annesphamily.blogspot.com

Mevely317 said...

This is SO good .... I'd not read this before! Grateful!

Theresa said...

I am thankful to have worked for 30 years and appreciate all who are still out there working! It is indeed a privilege! I hope you enjoy this day! Happy Labor Day dear friend, HUGS!

This N That said...

Interesting Diana..thanks for sharing..Happy Sept and Happy Labor Day..Hope you aren't laboring..xxoo

Rita C at Panoply said...

I did not know the history, thank you for that! Happy September, Happy Labor Day.

phillipsplacereno said...

Thank you for sharing this! Happy Labor Day! ;)

SImple and Serene Living said...

Happy Labor Day. xo Laura

Dewena said...

Wow! I thought there would be a credit at the end to some author, even though I read at the top that it was something you wrote long ago. Diana, very well written! You took dry historical facts and crafted it so that I just had to read every line to see what happened. Super impressed here!

Happy Labor Day!

Susan Kane said...

Perfect tribute to those who understood the rights of the laborer!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Diana,
What a great post about Labor Day!! This is the first year in a very ,very long time that i do not have to work either the Eve or the Day of a Holiday!! Ironically, Joe is working to today!!He never had to work Holidays before he retired but he did not mind working today so someone younger could have it off. We celebrated the Holiday yesterday anyway....And I got to spend a nice quiet day at home relaxing,,,enjoying MY retirement!! LOL!! Thanks for stopping by, my friend!!
Hugs
Debbie

happyone said...

Didn't know that story of how Labor Day got started. A great poem you wrote about it!!

Jeanie said...

A wonderful poem that says it all. Thanks for sharing this and I hope your day was terrific!

Akasha said...

Nice blog and poem. This was my first Labor Day not working.

Bless said...

Great poem! Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting! I read on your "About Me" that you are in Green Bay. I got all excited because I attended UWGB! Small world, isn't it?

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Diana, I love this. You are so talented and it makes sense! I didn't know that you painted (this is coming from one who traces!) I would love to see some of your Santa's. You should do a post of them. Thanks for your visit. Summer is winding down, and I hope most of the "hot" goes with it. I look forward to fall weather and wish it could stay like that all year long..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy

Jill said...

Great poem! hope you had a wonderful labor day and a great week!

Blessings,
Jill