Plus, a new name for the Commanders camp
 
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Today’s Forecast

82º | 13% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. | Sunset 7:36 p.m.

 

Local history for Labor Day

The history of Labor Day in Richmond
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A political cartoon by Thomas May shows children working in a sweat shop. | Image via Cartoons Magazine. Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries.
Today is Labor Day, an annual federal holiday that honors the contributions of workers in America.

The push to create Labor Day was a grassroots one. Richmond has a notable place in this history, with its deep ties to the labor movement.

Although the holiday was an offshoot of the broader labor movements happening across the US in the late 19th century, there is still some historical ambiguity as to who first conceived of the holiday.

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The first Labor Day Parade passing Union Square on Sept. 5, 1882.

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Image via Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper

Labor Day was first celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882, with a parade of around 10,000 workers. That parade was organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, a nationwide labor association.

Over the next decade, several states and municipalities started celebrating Labor Day on their own. It would become a federal holiday in 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. That makes this year the holiday’s 130th anniversary.

The same labor movement that gave rise to the holiday’s creation was thriving and pushing boundaries in the River City. Richmond workers formed a strong coalition, leading boycotts against local companies known to have poor or dangerous working conditions.

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The girls home at 502 W. Clay St. was for employed African American women in Richmond.

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Image via Adèle Goodman Clark papers, 1849-1978, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries

Richmond’s labor movement was built on campaigns organized by Black workers and solidarity across racial and gender lines. The inclusive nature of this movement was of major historic significance for the city, barely two decades past the Civil War.

The city was also a stronghold for the Knights of Labor, the same group that organized the first Labor Day parade.

Despite this solidarity, most workplaces and unions in Richmond remained racially segregated. This led to another wave of historic organizing among Black workers. In 1937, the Southern Negro Youth Congress held its first-ever conference in Richmond, bringing together 534 delegates from across the South.

In recent years, both Richmond Public Schools and City of Richmond employees have voted to unionize. The school district’s 2021 decision made them the first division in Virginia to allow collective bargaining.
Visit Fredericksburg
 
Events
Monday, Sept. 2
  • Labor Day Live Music | Monday, Sept. 2 | 1-4 p.m. | James River Cellars | Free entry | Enjoy acoustic tunes provided by Jimmy O and grab lunch from a food truck.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
  • Amorphis | Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 6 p.m. | Canal Club | $37 | See the Finnish heavy metal band with Dark Tranquility and special guests Fires in the Distance.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • Band of Horses + City and Colour | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Maymont | $40-$68 | The Music at Maymont series continues with these two folk-rock groups.
  • Literary Virginia Book Group | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This month, the group will discuss “Starling House” by Alix Harrow, a Literary Awards People’s Choice Fiction finalist.
Thursday, Sept. 5
  • The Coming of War in Europe | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler will discuss the events surrounding the beginning of World War II in Europe.
  • Summer Music Series: Danny Kensy | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Hanover Tavern | Cost of purchase | Make a reservation and enjoy some country tunes on the patio.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Plan your week
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News Notes
Transit
Civic
  • Commanders Training Camp. Leigh Street Training Facility. Bon Secours Training Center. It’s gone by many names, but now the former training center is officially Midtown Green. The city hosted a ribbon cutting last week to welcome Parks and Rec to its new headquarters with a fresh — hopefully standard — name. (Richmond BizSense)
Drink
  • A new Dunkin’ is open in Henrico near the intersection of Cox and Three Chopt Roads. The drive-thru only location will be open daily. (Henrico Citizen)
Shop
  • Looking to get into cycling but in need of a steed? Diversity Thrift often has bikes in stock. Swing by the thrift store to grab some deals on wheels while supplies last.
Concert
  • Did you catch King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard at Brown’s Island last week? Did you catch them at Cobra Cabana afterward? The Aussie rockers stopped by the Carver bar after their gig on Wednesday — seems like they had fun.
Home
  • Cooler weather is approaching — time to replace drafty windows with beautiful, energy-efficient Renewal by Andersen® windows. For a limited time, enjoy 20% off your entire order.*
 
The Buy

The Buy 9.02.24 (Affiliate)
A sleek bathroom organizer. This piece adds a decorative touch while providing space-saving organization. Bonus: It’s on sale for a limited time.
Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale
Answered

On Friday, we asked what gets you off your couch and to a festival.

Live music was the overwhelming favorite, with ~68%. Local vendors came in at a distant second at ~16%.
The full results
 
The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
In case you missed our September events preview, there are a ton of classic festivals to look forward to in the next few weeks. I’m counting down to Pridefest at the newly renamed Midtown Green.
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