Irish America

Labor Day

The Irish Role in the American Labor Movement

By Irish America Staff

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As you celebrate Labor Day weekend, consider the contribution that the Irish have made, and continue to make to the American labor movement. Peter "P.J." McGuire the Father of Labor Day It was Peter "P.J." McGuire who first proposed a national holiday for workers. Born to Irish immigrants on the Lower East Side, New York City, in 1852, Peter became the breadwinner for his … [Read more...] about The Irish Role in the American Labor Movement

Weekly Comment:
What Ted Kennedy & John Sweeney Built On

By Harold Meyerson, The Washington Post
September 4, 2015

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As we celebrate Labor Day and the history of the Irish in the Labor Movement we bring you this commentary piece from our archives. Irish American leaders had a strong influence within and over the labor movement in the U.S., the Democratic Party, and other liberal institutions, Harold Meyerson argues.  ℘℘℘ The death of Ted Kennedy precedes by three weeks the end of John … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment:
What Ted Kennedy & John Sweeney Built On