Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. The holiday is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. It was first proposed in the early 1880s, and the first Labor Day celebrations were held in a number of states the following year. The idea quickly spread, and in 1894, Congress declared the first Monday in September a national holiday.
The date of Labor Day was chosen because it fell roughly halfway between the Fourth of July holiday and Thanksgiving. Labor Day is called the "unofficial end of summer" because it marks the end of the cultural summer season. Many people take their two-week vacations during the two weeks ending Labor Day.
Over the years, the significance of Labor Day in the United States has changed. For many people, it has become an end-of-summer celebration and a long weekend for family get-togethers. However, it continues to be celebrated with parades and speeches, as well as political rallies. Labor Day parades and other festivities demonstrate the strength and esprit de corps of trade and labor organizations, and they celebrate workers contributions to the country's strength, prosperity, and well-being.
