Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Peter J. McGuire

— Father of Labor Day —

Courtesy :: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 12, 2012

1. Peter J. McGuire Marker

Inscription. 1852 – 1906

Founder and General Secretary
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America
1881 – 1901

Father of Labor Day

Peter J. McGuire was founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in 1881 and its General Secretary until 1901. He created the largest construction / industrial international union in North America.

In the year 1881, McGuire helped to found the Confederation of American Trade Unions which later became the American Federation of Labor. He served as the AFL’s First Secretary, and served many years on its Executive Council.

During his lifetime, McGuire, the son of Irish immigrants, traveled throughout the land fighting for workers rights, leading campaigns for protective laws.

One of his outstanding accomplishments was the establishment of the Eight-hour Day.

He is known as “The Father of Labor Day”.

Erected 1990 by United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 39° 28.311′ N, 87° 24.314′ W. Marker is

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in Terre Haute, Indiana, in Vigo County. Marker can be reached from North 8th Street south of Spruce Street. Located in back-yard of Eugene Debs home (museum). Can be reached by a back access drive from Sycamore Street - west of North 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: (back yard of) 451 North 8th Street, Terre Haute IN 47801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 14 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Patrick J. Quinlan (here, next to this marker); Joseph A. Beirne (here, next to this marker); Jerry Wurf (here, next to this marker); William H. Sylvis (here, next to this marker); Walter Philip Reuther (here, next to this marker); Samuel Gompers (here, next to this marker); Michael J. Quill (here, next to this marker); Philip Murray (here, next to this marker); Patrick E. Gorman (here, next to this marker); Mother Jones (a few steps from this marker); Sidney Hillman (a few steps from this marker); Charles Luna (a few steps from this marker); William D. "Big Bill" Haywood (a few steps from this marker); Home of Eugene V. Debs (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.

Also see . . .
1. Peter J. McGuire: First UBC General Secretary. "United Brotherhood of Carpenters" biography (Submitted on December 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Labor Day. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Eugene Debs Home (Museum) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, July 6, 2008

2. Eugene Debs Home (Museum)

Peter J. McGuire Marker - - (First from Right) image. Click for more information.

Courtesy :: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 12, 2012

3. Peter J. McGuire Marker - - (First from Right)

Leaders of Industrial Unionism
Related HMDb markers
Click for more information.

Peter J. McGuire (1852 – 1906) image. Click for full size.

Courtesy :: Wikipedia Commons

4. Peter J. McGuire (1852 – 1906)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,115 times since then and 67 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 1, 2013. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on August 31, 2013.