While the majority of the world observes Labor Day on May 1st in memory of the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, the United States follows a different tradition. Rather than commemorating the event on May 1st, the US celebrates “Law Day” on this date. This special day emphasizes the importance of law in the nation’s founding and its crucial role in fostering a fair society.
New York’s Quirky Moving Day Tradition
For more than a hundred years, spanning from colonial times to shortly after World War II, New York City witnessed a peculiar annual event called “Moving Day.” Every May 1st, the city’s streets transformed into a chaotic scene as a result of an oddity in New York law. With almost all rental agreements ending at 9:00 AM on that day, tenants and their belongings poured into the streets, searching for new places to live. Navigating the bustling crowds of people, carts, and livestock became an unforgettable challenge for New Yorkers during this remarkable tradition.
The Remarkable Journey of a Slave Who Mailed Himself to Freedom
In 1848, Henry Brown was a slave in his 30s who had spent almost 20 years working on a Virginia plantation. There, he met his wife and had three children with her. Tragically, the plantation owner sold Brown’s wife and children to another slave owner, leaving Brown powerless to intervene.
By March of the following year, Brown was determined to escape the plantation, slavery, and the oppressive conditions in the American South. With approximately $160 and few legal options, Brown had to think creatively. Instead of the Underground Railroad, which was the popular route to freedom for many American slaves, Brown chose the conventional railroad system. All he needed was some assistance and a large crate, as he planned to mail himself to freedom on March 23, 1849.
Brown entrusted half of his savings — $86 — to James C. A. Smith, a Southerner who supported the abolitionist cause. Smith then reached out to James Miller McKim, a Philadelphia-based Presbyterian minister and leader in the movement. McKim agreed to accept a package from Smith, which, if all went according to plan, would contain Brown. To avoid work, Brown deliberately burned his hand with sulfuric acid and then entered the crate. For the next 27 hours, he was under the care of the Adams Express Company, a shipping company at the time, as he journeyed from Richmond to Philadelphia in his crate. During his trip, Brown traveled by wagon, rail, ferry, and steamboat, eventually arriving at his destination, alive and free.
Brown’s extraordinary feat made him a symbol of the anti-slavery movement, but his prominence was short-lived. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass criticized Brown for publicizing his escape method, believing that it hindered others from using the same strategy. More significantly, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in September 1850, mandating the return of runaway slaves to their masters. Consequently, Brown fled to England and became a traveling performer. While he returned to the United States after the Civil War, his notoriety had faded, and the details of his death remain unknown to this day.
Two Buck Chuck’s Creator on Wine vs. Water Pricing
Fred Franzia, the creator of the affordable wine brand “Two Buck Chuck,” purchased the Charles Shaw name from a defunct winery for $27,000. When inquired about his wine’s lower price compared to water, Franzia humorously responded, “They’re overcharging for the water. Don’t you get it?”
Jerry Springer: A Tribute to the Television Icon with 5 Fascinating Facts from His Life
Today, we mourn the passing of Jerry Springer, a legendary television personality who made a significant impact on pop culture. To honor his memory, we’ve compiled a list of five intriguing facts about his life.
- Born in a WWII bomb shelter: Jerry Springer entered the world in extraordinary circumstances, as his birth took place in a London subway station being used as a bomb shelter during World War II.
- Family’s escape from Nazi Germany: Springer’s parents were among the fortunate Jews who managed to leave Germany before being sent to concentration camps. However, his grandmother sadly became one of the first victims of the gas chambers.
- A storied political career: Before becoming a household name on television, Springer held political office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He served two terms as mayor, starting at just 33 years old. In 1974, he resigned from the Cincinnati City Council after a scandal involving a check he wrote for a prostitute. Despite this, Springer made a comeback, winning his seat back in 1975 and becoming mayor in 1977. He even made a bid for Ohio Governor in 1982.
- A musical inspired by his show: The Jerry Springer Show became such a cultural phenomenon that it inspired a British musical, titled “Jerry Springer: The Opera.”
- Springer’s critique of his own talk show: Despite its success, Jerry Springer himself admitted that he was not a fan of his show, stating, “I would never watch my show. I’m not interested in it. It’s not aimed towards me. This is just a silly show.”
Bonus fact: Surprisingly, the origins of The Jerry Springer Show can be traced back to a sober, politically-focused discussion program. However, in 1994, the show underwent a transformation to a tabloid-style format in order to improve its lackluster ratings.
As we remember Jerry Springer, it’s important to appreciate the remarkable life he led and the indelible mark he left on our culture.