Happy Labor Day! Did you know that the very first Labor Day was held on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City? The day was celebrated with picnics, concerts and speeches. Ten thousand workers marched in a parade from City Hall to Union Square.
- The first state to enact a bill that would eventually become law to celebrate Labor Day was Oregon on February 21, 1887.
- On June 28, 1984 the U.S. Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories and so the idea of a three-day Labor Day weekend was well in place across the U.S. over 100 years ago!
- President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law. FYI: He was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States and is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897) and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents.
Why We Celebrate Labor Day: The original intent of Labor Day was to provide a holiday that would honor the social and economic achievements of American workers. Essentially, it was intended to be, and in many ways remains, an annual national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
How Do You Celebrate Labor Day? While many of us still turn out to hear Labor Day speeches and attend parades, the focus of the American worker has turned more to celebrating a day off with family. However you decide to celebrate Labor Day, have fun and take some time away from work to catch up with your family. Autumn is fast approaching, and along with it the shorter days and increasing responsibilities of our jobs, our kids and school activities Three-day weekends don’t come along that often, so let’s be thankful that our predecessors and ancestors were determined to make it happen.
Related Books:
There is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America by Phillip Dray
History of the Labor Movement in the United States: 1905-1917 by Phillip Sheldon Foner
Autobiography of Samuel Gompers: Seventy Years of Life and Labor
A Place to Call Home…….Snell Isle
Little did C. Perry Snell know when in 1925 he began developing the Snell Isle community that it would become one of the most desirable waterfront neighborhoods in the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg area. Many of today’s homes date back to the 1920’s; some have been remodeled, others are exactly as they were originally constructed. In recent years, original houses, many directly on the waterfront, have 
been replaced by large, luxury homes priced in the millions. Despite the changes over the years, Snell Isle continues to offer buyers a wide spectrum of styles and price ranges, all within a five-minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg’s distinctive shopping, community parks and vibrant arts and entertainment scene.
Snell Isle is home to:
- Two churches
- Two schools
- A thriving shopping center on Snell Isle Boulevard
- St. Petersburg Women’s Club (an active community organization dedicated to preserving the character of the area)
- The Snell Isle Marina, an active center for boaters and a popular destination for west coast Florida cruisers.
The Snell Isle Property Owners Association is a hands-on nonprofit corporation that carries on Snell’s vision and protects the heritage of the area by guiding improvements and maintaining its unique way of life. The Association is responsible for restoring Snell Isle Park Plaza, complete with meandering walkways, original European statuary and artwork Snell brought back from Europe.
In sum, Snell Isle maintains its reputation as one of Pinellas County’s most desirable neighborhoods – if you are interested in knowing more about this historic community or viewing properties for sale, please visit my web site or call me. I’ll be waiting!
