Labor Day
Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a time to honor workers — all workers. The very first Labor Day took place on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. It is a toss up as to who founded Labor Day. Some say it was Peter McGuire. Others claim it was Matthew MacGuire. Peter was part of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and cofounder of the American Federation of Labor. Matthew was the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York in 1882 and since that is the union that hosted the first Labor Day celebration, he often gets credit.
Jimmy Carter
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. If you live near your grandparents, it is the perfect time to visit them and spend some quality time doing things together. Distance shouldn’t keep you from celebrating, though. If your grandparents live far away, you can still celebrate. Call them. Skype or Facetime them. Send an email or make a card, draw a picture or write them a letter and send it to them in the mail.
Cure Salee
Every September the Fulani and Tuareg cattle herders in the Sahara Desert hold a celebration called the Cure Salee (Salt Cure). It is a time when cattle herders bring their herds to graze on the plains, which have a high salt content. The salt is important because it helps keep the cattle healthy. While the livestock graze, the people socialize and celebrate. One of the highlights of the gathering (for the people at least) is the Yaake. This is a dance and beauty contest where men dress up and perform for the ladies. The men use all their charms and best dance moves to try and get a woman to propose to them. If a man is chosen for marriage, he takes a gift of milk to the woman’s parents. If her parents approve, the man brings them three cattle which are slaughtered to celebrate the engagement.
