September 4, 2026
Introduction: In this article – to help celebrate Labor Day – Melissa Davenport Berry recalls Labor Day in Michigan in 1960, when Senator John F. Kennedy came campaigning for president. Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, americana-archives.com, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.
Everyone is voting for Jack
’Cause he’s got what all the rest lack.
Everyone wants to back Jack
Jack is on the right track.
’Cause he’s got high hopes
He’s got high hopes
Nineteen Sixty’s the year for his high hopes.
Come on and vote for Kennedy
Vote for Kennedy
And we’ll come out on top!–Frank Sinatra song “High Hopes” (with Jack Kennedy)
The above lyrics are from Frank Sinatra, who adapted his 1959 hit “High Hopes” with custom lyrics as an unofficial theme song for John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign. You can listen to the song on YouTube: “High Hopes” (with Jack Kennedy).
On 4 September 1960, U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) arrived in metro Detroit for the city’s annual Labor Day celebration the next day.
This Detroit Times article reports the excitement in Detroit that greeted Kennedy’s arrival.
This article reports:
Senator Kennedy returned to Detroit last night and his supporters went wild.
More than 5,000 howling, screaming fans mobbed him on his arrival at Metropolitan Airport after his nonstop flight from Alaska.
Another 1,500 showered him with confetti when he reached the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel 90 minutes later.
Inside, more than 300 hand-clapping, banner waving teenagers squealed deliriously as Kennedy made his way to the elevator.
Today, tens of thousands of Detroiters jammed their way into Cadillac Square for a Labor Day rally which could smash all existing records. [Note: And yes, the rally did break records.]
Wayne County labor leaders were talking about a 100,000 crowd, largest since Harry S. Truman in 1948 started the custom of opening presidential campaigns in Detroit.
In his speech given to thousands, Kenndy stated:
“I welcome the support of the working men and women of this country. I am proud of the fact that I was endorsed by the AFL-CIO. For I know that the American labor movement wants for America what I want for America: the elimination of poverty and unemployment, the reestablishment of America’s world leadership, the guarantee of full civil rights for all our citizens. I know the American labor movement opposes what I oppose: complacency, unemployment, economic stagnation, racial discrimination, and national insecurity.”
“Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor. But their work goes beyond their own jobs, and even beyond our borders.
“Our unions have fought for aid to education, for better housing, for development of our natural resources, and for saving the family-sized farm. They have contributed funds and talent to improve our overseas relations. They have spoken, not for narrow self-interest, but for the public interest and for the people.
“For the labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals.”
Here is another newsclip with the headline “Kennedy Flies In to a Big Welcome,” with photos showing: a row of “Kennedy Girls” lined up outside the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel with signs; Kenndy flanked by Gov. G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams and Lt. Gov. John Swainson; VFW members trying to maintain control of the roaring crowd at the airport; and Kennedy offering a big smile to all his supporters.
Here is another photo of (from left to right) Gov. G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams, Senator John F. Kennedy, and Lt. Gov. John Swainson being driven through Detroit on Labor Day, 5 September 1960.
During this Labor Day campaign stop in Michigan, Kennedy also spoke to thousands at Oakland Park in Pontiac. The AFL-CIO labor union held a massive picnic in the park each Labor Day, and many employees of the General Motors facilities attended. During campaign years, it was a major stop for pro-labor candidates. Bagpipes were included in the event.
Happy Labor Day!
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Note on the header image: President John F. Kennedy, 11 July 1963. Credit: Cecil Stoughton; National Archives and Records Administration; Wikimedia Commons.
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