In a family way
Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 4:54 PM by Daily Nightly Editor
Filed Under:
Brian Williams
by Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor
For all the wars, floods, crimes, disasters and sadness we cover, there are occasionally days like today. We gathered in the office of our Executive Producer, Alex Wallace for a baby shower for producer Bita Nikravesh. In addition to being one of the sweetest people I know, Bita may be the most petite woman on the staff. Right now, days away from delivery of her first child, Bita appears to be made up of about 80 percent baby and 20 percent Bita. It was a baby-themed day, as former Nightly News producer (now at 60 Minutes) Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson brought in her two daughters. We opened gifts, we oldsters talked about when our kids were young -- and then I noticed Weekend Nightly News Executive Producer Patrick Burkey getting a little lightheaded: he and his wife Maribel are expecting twins. All that talk about dilation, eipdurals, projectile vomiting, bathtime, teething, stain removal -- it can all make a guy nervous. It was a great day -- also punctuated by a bad rendition of "Happy Birthday" for our director, Brett Holey -- and a staff farewell and round of applause for Washington producer Tammy Kupperman. On an average day, we spend much more time with our work families than we do with our actual families at home. On days like this, it feels like it. And what a great second family we're all blessed to have. We'll let you know when it gets bigger, by one. Good luck, Bita!
We've reached the unofficial Final Friday of Summer. While it strikes me that we never suffered through any of the "dog days" of summer this year (in terms of the traditional long, hot slow patch in the news business -- there was always a compelling story to cover) things will feel different after the Labor Day break -- a busy week, and we're off to the races: the political season, the Petraeus report, and so forth. Having said that, we have a lot of news to report tonight. There's the housing story, the Senator Craig drama, Senator Warner's retirement, the fires out West, the Diana commemoration today and our usual Friday "Making A Difference" segment.
Labor day in history
It turns out that the first Labor Day holiday took place 125 years ago, on September 5, 1882. It was a Tuesday; the lure of a three-day weekend soon resulted in Labor Day being observed on the first Monday of September - in laws passed state by state, with Congress following suit in 1894. Back to that first Labor Day: it was celebrated in lower Manhattan in New York City, with numerous labor organizations taking part. Here's how it was covered in the New York Times the next morning:
Working men on parade
An Orderly Labor Demonstration - Ten-Thousand Men In Line
The parade of working men yesterday, though not so large as its organizers predicted, was conducted in an orderly and pleasant manner. Those who rode or marched in the procession were cheerful, and evidently highly gratified with the display. Nearly all were well clothed, and some wore attire of fashionable cut. The great majority smoked cigars, and all seemed bent on having a good time on the picnic grounds. ... All along the route there were frequent cheers from the spectators on the sidewalks. Although the Police force was liberally represented, the officers were not at any time forced to exercise their authority.
- September 6, 1882 NY Times, page 6
We hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast. Lester Holt will be here on Monday while I enjoy a day with my family. I will see you back here again on Tuesday evening. Have a great, safe holiday weekend.
