May 29, 1943

Oregon was the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day on Feb. 21,
1887. During the following year, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and 
New York all made Labor Day a holiday.

According to the US Department of Labor, 23 other states made Labor Day
a holiday by 1894. Then, on June 28, 1894, Congress made the first Monday
in September a legal holiday.

Legend has it that Peter McGuire, who founded the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters in 1881, was the one who actually invented Labor Day.

But recent evidence shows Matthew Maguire, who led several strikes in the
1870s and was considered to be fairly radical in his political beliefs, is actually
the man who should get the credit.

The day was originally designed to be celebrated with parades, festivals and
recreation to honor the American worker. The politicians and speeches came
along later.

The first MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon was held the weekend of
September 4 and 5, 1966 and was broadcast by a single station in New 
York (WNEW-TV). The telecast was such a success that the Association
selected Labor Day weekend for all future Telethons. 

Then, with help from broadcasting icons Sylvester “Pat” Weaver and
Robert M. Bennett, the Association created a “Love Network” of stations
that in 1971 facilitated the nation’s first networked Telethon.

Since 1966, the MDA Labor Day Telethon has had a variety of names,
including the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, “The” Telethon and Stars Across
America!.

The popular Labor Day weekend show has originated from New York, Las
Vegas and Hollywood. Now broadcast by more than 150 television stations,
the annual telecast has frequently included live remote segments.

On May 16, 2011, Jerry Lewis announced that he was retiring as host of the
annual MDA Labor Day Telethon.

Ed McMahon (right) served as Telephone anchor for 40
years, starting in 1968

Jerry with one of his special ”Kids”

Ramblin’ Rod Anders (November 26, 1933 – May 11, 2002), born
Rodney Carl Andersen

Anders hosted local MDA telethon segments on KPTV 12 in Portland,
Oregon for 31 years.