“Without labor nothing prospers.” ~ Sophocles
It has been 138 years since New Jersey established Labor Day as a holiday. In 1887, Oregon was the first state to grant legal status to the holiday but listed the date as the first Saturday in June. That same year Colorado, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey adopted the holiday and proclaimed it be observed on the first Monday in September. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill recognizing the first Monday in September as a national holiday.
The initial idea for Labor Day as a general labor festival originated in Canada in 1872. Canada also celebrates “Labour Day” on the first Monday in September. Our holiday traces its roots back to 1882 when Peter McGuire, a union leader, suggested that there be a celebration honoring American workers and organized a parade in New York City. Initially, few participated and organizers worried that workers had been reluctant to surrender a day’s pay to join the rally. But soon the crowds began flowing in from across the city and by the end of the day it is estimated that 10,000 people had marched in the parade and joined the festivities afterward in what the press dubbed “a day of the people.” McGuire said that there was no particular significance to the date and it was chosen because it fell roughly halfway between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.
Labor Day is a continuing national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. Enjoy a day off but take a moment to pay tribute to America’s labor force.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Inspection Unit will be available on Thursday, Sept. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 6003 Voorhees Town Center (by old Macy’s on Somerdale Road side, across from Osage Elementary School). Vehicle inspections will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and you do not need to be a Voorhees resident to attend. For more information, visit the township social media platforms and/or the website www.voorheesnj.com.
The Food Truck & Music Festival hosted by the township will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Connolly Park. Enjoy a variety of gourmet trucks, live music, a petting zoo and Beer and
Margarita Gardens for adults. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com.
Voorhees Township is once again partnering with Morey’s Piers to offer discounted tickets for their amusement piers located on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ. Tickets may be obtained in person from the
office of the Voorhees Township Clerk (856) 429-7757 and are payable by CASH ONLY. Tickets are available to residents and non-residents.
Office hours now until Thursday, Aug. 28: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Summer hours for the Voorhees Township Town Hall will be in effect until Tuesday, Sept. 2. The township offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30pm and will be closed on Friday.
