Peter J. McGuire

Peter J. McGuire, born in 1852 and died in 1906, founded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in 1881 and served as its General Secretary until 1901, creating the largest construction and industrial international union in North America. In 1881 he also helped found the Confederation of American Trade Unions, which later became the American Federation of Labor, served as the AFL’s first secretary, and spent many years on its Executive Council. The son of Irish immigrants, he traveled throughout the country fighting for workers rights and leading campaigns for protective laws, with one of his outstanding accomplishments being the establishment of the eight-hour day. He is known as the Father of Labor Day.

Terre Haute, Indiana · United States