Mon, September 2, 2024
Interesting Facts
Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States, honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country.
Originating in the late 19th century, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, it was a period marked by severe labor conditions, prompting the first Labor Day parade in New York City on September 5, 1882, as a demonstration for workers’ rights and a celebration of labor.
The holiday became official when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law in 1894, amidst growing labor unrest and in an effort to reconcile with the American workforce after the Pullman Railroad Strike.
Today, Labor Day is often associated with the end of summer, and is celebrated with parades, barbecues, and retail sales, but it continues to serve as a reminder of the laborers’ struggles and achievements throughout American history.