Let the Sleuthing Begin

There’s just something about a good “whodunit” that captivates us. Whodunits come in many forms. The board game Clue, one of my favorite games growing up, remains a top pick for an adult game night!  There are the page turning mystery books that you can’t put down from writers like Agatha Christie, James Patterson, Richard Osman, Delia James and classic movies like The Maltese Falcon and Murder on the Orient Express. While I am not a big movie fan, the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery had me wondering whodunit the entire time!

Labor Day is a classic whodunit. The mystery: Who really founded Labor Day?

Possible Suspects
The clues point to two prime suspects, each with a motive and opportunity.

Our first suspect, Peter J. McGuire, was a well-known labor leader, a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and a staunch advocate for workers’ rights. In 1882, McGuire allegedly proposed a national holiday to honor the working class. His vision? A day of parades, speeches, and, of course, a break from the grind.

But wait—enter Matthew Maguire, a machinist from New Jersey with a strong alibi. Some historical records reveal that Maguire, not McGuire, first suggested the idea of Labor Day. As secretary of the Central Labor Union, Maguire organized the first Labor Day parade in New York City, raising questions about who really deserves the credit.

The Verdict
So, who did it? McGuire or Maguire? The evidence is as split as a jury on a tough case. Some historians side with McGuire, citing his influence and leadership. Others point to Maguire, whose boots-on-the-ground efforts make a compelling case.

In this Labor Day whodunit, it seems the answer might be that both suspects are guilty — guilty of giving American workers a well-deserved holiday!

Happy reading,

Enjoy the weekend!

Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]