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Labor Day

Take the day off to relax and enjoy - it's Labor Day! Time to kick back and celebrate all your hard work.
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Category
Federal
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Country
United States
Introduction

It's time to celebrate the hard work of all Americans on Labor Day, which occurs every year on the first Monday in September. This holiday has been around since 1894 and is a reminder of the contributions that workers have made throughout US history. It's also an opportunity for us to come together and appreciate the value of labor, both past and present. From parades to barbecues and picnics, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy on this special day. So take a break from your daily grind, gather up your friends and family, and get ready to celebrate Labor Day!

History of Labor Day

Labor Day Dates

Labor Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1882</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Labor Day Parade</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City by the Central Labor Union, a landmark event in the labor movement.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1887</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First State Labor Day Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>Oregon became the first state to recognize Labor Day as an official public holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1894</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Labor Day Becomes Federal Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Grover Cleveland signed a law making Labor Day a national holiday, amidst a period of labor unrest.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebrations Become Tradition</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the 1920s, the holiday had become centered on community events and relaxation, with parades, cookouts, and family-friendly activities becoming common ways to celebrate.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Labor Day Sales</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 1960s and 70s, the commercialization of Labor Day began to rise, with businesses advertising special "Labor Day Sales" to attract customers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Honoring American Workers</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, Labor Day continues to honor and celebrate the achievements of American workers with community activities, parades, barbecues and labor union activities.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Labor Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go to a parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrating Labor Day with a parade is a great way to recognize the workers in your community. Look for a parade in your area, or even volunteer to help with one.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a picnic</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather up your family and friends and plan a picnic to celebrate Labor Day. Make sure to include all of your favorite foods and activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many museums offer special Labor Day programs and activities, so take advantage of this opportunity and learn more about the history of labor in your area.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a hike</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Explore the outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature on Labor Day by taking a hike with friends or family. Be sure to pack plenty of snacks for the journey!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Labor Day is a great time to give back and help out in your community. Look for volunteer opportunities at local charities or non-profits.</p></div></div>

Why Labor Day is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the hard work of all laborers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Labor Day is a day to take a step back and recognize the hard work that laborers across all occupations do on a daily basis. It's an opportunity to honor all those who labor in factories, offices, farms, schools and more. No matter what industry you're in, Labor Day is an important time to show appreciation for all the work you've done throughout the year.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It recognizes workers’ rights</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Labor Day was intended to commemorate the fight for workers’ rights in the late 19th century. It marks the founding of various labor unions that fought for fairer wages, shorter working hours and safer working conditions. By celebrating this holiday, we continue to honor those brave laborers who put their lives at risk to ensure every worker has a fair chance.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It marks the end of summer</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer and heralds the start of autumn. This three-day weekend serves as one last chance for everyone to enjoy some fun in the sun before school starts up again and fall kicks into full gear. So grab your friends and family and make some memories with one last hurrah!</p></div></div>

5 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About Labor Day

<div class="facts-item"><div class="facts-number-wrapper"><p class="facts-number">1</p></div><div class="facts-core-content"><h3 class="facts-title">Labor Day was originally celebrated on a different day</h3><p class="facts-content">Originally proposed to be celebrated on May 1st, Labor Day was later moved to the first Monday in September to distance it from International Workers' Day (May Day).</p></div></div><div class="facts-item"><div class="facts-number-wrapper"><p class="facts-number">2</p></div><div class="facts-core-content"><h3 class="facts-title">The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on a Tuesday</h3><p class="facts-content">Contrary to the current Monday celebration, the very first Labor Day holiday was observed on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.</p></div></div><div class="facts-item"><div class="facts-number-wrapper"><p class="facts-number">3</p></div><div class="facts-core-content"><h3 class="facts-title">The first proposal for the holiday called for a demonstration and picnic</h3><p class="facts-content">When Peter McGuire first proposed the holiday, he suggested a street parade to show the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" followed by a picnic.</p></div></div><div class="facts-item"><div class="facts-number-wrapper"><p class="facts-number">4</p></div><div class="facts-core-content"><h3 class="facts-title">There's disagreement about who first proposed Labor Day as a holiday</h3><p class="facts-content">While many agree it was Peter McGuire, others assert that it was actually Matthew Maguire, secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, who first proposed the holiday.</p></div></div><div class="facts-item"><div class="facts-number-wrapper"><p class="facts-number">5</p></div><div class="facts-core-content"><h3 class="facts-title">Celebrating Labor Day with white clothes used to be a fashion faux pas</h3><p class="facts-content">Historically, it was considered a fashion faux pas to wear white fabrics after Labor Day as it unofficially marked the end of the summer season. Today, this rule is less strictly followed.</p></div></div>

Labor Day FAQs

When is Labor Day?

Labor Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Sep 4

Monday

2024

Sep 2

Monday

2025

Sep 1

Monday

2026

Sep 7

Monday

2027

Sep 6

Monday

Federal Holidays