President Grover Cleveland
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
A labor movement in Chicago in 1894 left 30 Pullman workers dead, and later spurred Congress and President Grover Cleveland to pass a bill creating Labor Day. But the history of this holiday is rarely taught in schools, and there are few full-time labor journalists to write about working class communities.
Continue reading Labor Day stems from deadly labor strike, but few Americans know the history
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewoood NJ, Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events.
Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society : Summertime Tours – August 22, 1-4 pm
By Derek Jiang
On a hot summer Indian day in 1994, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rode an elephant together, smiling as they approached their quarters.1 Ginsburg, a Clinton appointee, championed gender equality in her majority opinion in U.S. v. Virginia. The Reagan appointed Scalia, on the other hand, fiercely opposed the ruling, arguing it created new Constitutional interpretations.2 Scalia called for the repeal of certain sections of the Voting Rights Act, under the premise that they violated the equal sovereignty of the states. When the courts finally did so in Shelby County v. Holder, Ginsburg dissented ferociously.3 Despite their vastly different interpretations of the law, the two justices were, in Ginsburg’s own words, “best buddies,” frequently attending operas together.4 Their views could not have been more apart, but they were one and the same in their respect for the Constitution and for each other.
Continue reading Bill of Rights Institute : We the Students Essay Contest Winning Essay 2019-2020
Bergen County Historical Society
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge NJ, In 1784, John J Zabriskie requested compensation from the British Government for his estate at New Bridge. In the description he gives us a window to the surrounding property: “Forty Acres of Land adjoining said Mansion House consisting of Meadow Land and two orchards.”
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society : two peach trees
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Cleveland Ohio, Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians announced Friday that it is doing away with its moniker, Cleveland Indians, and renaming the team the Cleveland Guardians, a move that erases a 106-year-old name said to be in honor of Louis Sockalexis, who played major league baseball for the Cleveland Spiders in the late 1800s and is credited as the first Native American to play professional baseball.
Bergen County Historical Society
New Bridge Landing, River Edge NJ, according to the Bergen County Historical Society Baseball, America’s favorite summer pastime, boasts many early influences in its development. Played like early similar games [one called rounders], it is first referenced in England in the 1700s in a child’s book “A Little Pretty Pocket Book” where it was actually called baseball using three posts in a triangle whereas today’s four bases are the better known diamond.
Continue reading America’s favorite summer pastime baseball, and the Hot Dog
thestaff of the Ridgewood blog
Paterson NJ, The County of Passaic will honor Passaic County Hall of Famer Larry Doby throughout the month of July. In 2016, the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution declaring July 5th as Larry Doby Day. On July 5, 1947, Doby made his Major League debut for the Cleveland Indians becoming the first player to go directly from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball. In honor and memory of his accomplishments, the County of Passaic will offer baseball related programming throughout the month of July.
photos courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Historic New Bridge Landing, the fans and volunteers were back at the Bergen County Historical Society Annual Vintage Baseball Game at Historic New Bridge Landing. The Flemington Neshanic put on an amazing display and it was fantastic that once again the Enterprise Club of New Bridge could once again take the Meadow…er field!
Continue reading Vintage Baseball at Historic New Bridge Landing
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2021 is on Sunday, July 4, 2021; the federal holiday will be observed on Monday, July 5, 2021.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, most Americans consider the Fourth of July one of our nation’s most important holidays, and recognize it celebrates signing of the Declaration of Independence. Far fewer, however, think the Founding Fathers would be happy with the current condition of the country they created.
Continue reading Happy Independence Day : What Would the Founding Fathers Say?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New Bridge Landing NJ, Love baseball? Love history? Step back into yesteryear when the Bergen County Historical Society hosts an old-time game in the meadow at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge. Featuring the Flemington Neshanock verses the Enterprise Club of New Bridge.
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society : Vintage Baseball at Historic New Bridge Landing
Bergen County Historical Society
New Bridge Landing NJ, join the Bergen County Historical Society as we celebrate Pinkster, a Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring on Sunday May 16th, 1 pm-4:30 pm at Historic New Bridge Landing 1201 Main St. River Edge NJ.
Continue reading Pinkster, A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring
