Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday honors and recognizes the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the country.
The history of Labor Day dates back to the late 19th century when the trade union and labor movements were growing. Various groups of trade unionists chose different days to celebrate labor, and in the United States, a September holiday called Labor Day was first proposed in the early 1880s. The exact origin of the holiday is subject to alternative accounts, with descendants of two men claiming their great-grandfather as the true father of Labor Day.
In 1894, following several years of individual city parades and celebrations, Congress declared the first Monday of September to be Labor Day, making it an unprecedented holiday dedicated to the working man. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law on June 28, 1894, declaring Labor Day a national holiday, during a crisis over federal efforts to end a strike by railroad workers. Some historians believe that Cleveland was motivated by political advantages and the need to secure the support of working-class voters.
The significance of Labor Day has evolved over the years. While it continues to be celebrated with parades, speeches, and political rallies, its importance as a day to recognize the labor movement has diminished as the influence of unions waned. For many people, Labor Day has become an end-of-summer celebration and a long weekend for family get-togethers.
