Volume 14 , Issue 36

100 Years Ago Today - 3 September 1912

One hundred years ago today we find that Labor Day was celebrated in various ways. Hosts of Toilers (workers) were enjoying rest and recreation. The Washington Herald, dated Monday, September 3, 1912, had the following headlines, "Labor Day Is Celebrated In Various Ways."

As hosts of workers enjoyed rest and recreation, regatta drew many for baseball games and carnivals. Resorts were filled to capacity, also, as the machinery of the world of industry stood still in the National Capital, and the great army of toilers put aside all thoughts of their work to enjoy a day of rest and recreation and celebrate the laboring man's sacred holiday.

The celebration of Labor Day was reported as the most brilliant ever held in the city. The entire district entered into the spirit of the day. Work was stopped on every hand except in cases of indispensable servants who were compelled to work seven days a wee and 365 days a year in order to provide comfort and enjoyment for the more fortunate persons who are given freedom on the days which mankind recognizes as periods of rest and recreation. Every section of the city offered some attraction to the pleasure seekers. Throngs moved along the arteries leading to the various scenes of celebration. The street cars were crowded from early morning until late in the evening. The wharves swarmed with humanity around the hour of the departure of vessels for pouts down the Potomac. Union Station was the scene of busy times. The entire city was pleasure-bent.

The weather was good. The day was a pleasant one for the most part. The bright sun climbed higher in the skies, the temperature correspondingly arose until along in the early afternoon the people began to realize that they were having a real taste of summer weather and that it was downright hot. But the pleasure-seekers were eager to enjoy the day to the fullest extent that they soon forgot about the position of the mercury.

It was just before dark, though, that the clouds appeared and hid the sun, while a small sized storm broke in its fury. The rain fell for about an hour, copiously, as many persons were caught in the downpour and were drenched. By 7 p.m. that evening the rain stopped, so that no damper was thrown on the festivities planned for the evening.

The Middle States Regatta, the largest and most successful event of its kind ever held in Washington, was one of the features in the Labor day group of activities. thousands crowded the Aqueduct Bridge and the banks of the Potomac along the course. The regatta started at 10 a.m. in the morning and continued until noon. The races were resumed at 2 p.m. and continued until 6 p.m.

There were parades and Labor hosts celebrated at Benning, held under the direction of the Building Trades Council, attracting large crowds. It was strictly a celebration for the toilers and the spirit of organized labor was in evidence. Two ball games at the American League Park drew big crowds. Enthusiasm ran high, and despite the fact that Nationals were defeated in both games but he Philadelphia Athletics, the fans had the satisfaction of seeing two hotly fought contests.

All the pleasure resorts around the city were thronged. Glen Echo commenced its closings week with a big celebration. large crowds were taken to Chesapeake Beach. many persons spent the day at colonial Beach, having gone to the resort Saturday or Sunday.

there was a parade of commercial motor cars witnessed by many. More than 300 cars were entered in the pageant, which started from Scott Circle and proceeded down pennsylvania Avenue to the Peace Monument, returning over the same route to the starting point. One-third of the cars were decorated with flowers, flags and bunting.

The pleasure seekers who assembled at Benning were treated in the afternoon to the visit of two army aviators from College park. Lieut. Milling, in a Wright biplane, and Lieut. Geiger in a Curtis Machine, sailed directly over the old race track. Their machines were at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. The aviators did not deem it advisable to attempt landing on the field.

The people of Mount Rainier joined in their second annual carnival, wight eh celebration starting at 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon. King Carnival leading a procession through the town tot he scene of the festivities. Representative Thomas patron delivered an address in the evening.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---