A holiday that signifies the end of summer for many Americans, Labor Day was created to honor the contributions of the country's workers. The holiday is celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States and Canada.

Origins of the holiday

Labor Day was first celebrated in New York City in 1882. Between 10,000 and 30,000 workers paraded there on September 5, 1882, to show their unity and desire for fair working conditions. The peaceful and well-organized demonstration involved all types of workers, from seamstresses to bricklayers. They waved banners bearing slogans such as, “Labor built this republic and labor shall rule it.” In June 1894 President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law making Labor Day a national holiday.

How Labor Day is celebrated

Early Labor Day celebrations were similar to the first one. Street parades were held followed by recreational activities and picnics for the workers and their families. As the years went on, the celebration usually included speeches by important people.

Today the holiday is observed throughout the United States and in Canada. Parades and public demonstrations on Labor Day are less common, but speeches by labor leaders, educators, and government officials are often broadcast on radio and television. Workers of all kinds still enjoy the day off in early September. It has come to signify the end of summer and a time for workers to celebrate all that their work has made possible.