Every first Monday of September, we celebrate Labor Day. Some people see it as the official end of Summer (sigh), the last day to wear white, or maybe even the kickoff of the NFL season. As you could have guessed from its name, Labor Day is actually a United States federal holiday that is devoted to the recognition of working people’s contribution to society. Here are some fun facts related to Labor Day:
Labor Day Fun Facts:
- The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5th, 1882, when workers held a large parade and a festival sponsored by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.
- Peter J. McGuire, founder of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of New York, is the person credited in achieving this day as a national holiday.
- The first U.S. states to declare Labor Day a state holiday were Oregon and Colorado.
- Labor Day was made into a national holiday on June 28th, 1894, by an act of Congress, with the bill signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.
- Canada is the only other country to share this holiday in September with the U.S. Many other countries celebrate the contributions of workers on “May Day.”
