Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District
of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover
Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true
founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.

Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation
of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a
secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.    

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National
Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which
May 15 falls, as National Police Week.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962,
National Police Week pays special recognition to
those law enforcement officers who have lost their
lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection
of others.

Over one hundred officers are killed in the line of
duty each year. We vow to never forget their
sacrifice and their families sacrifice.