All you enjoy this federal holiday...Thank a Union!
Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States, has its roots in the labor movement of the late 19th century. During the industrial revolution, many workers faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions, leading to a surge in labor activism.
The first Labor Day celebration is often credited to a parade organized by the Central Labor Union in New York City on September 5, 1882. This event aimed to showcase the strength and solidarity of workers. Over the next few years, more cities began to hold similar celebrations.
In 1894, after a series of strikes, including the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland sought to appease labor by making Labor Day a federal holiday. The first official Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1894, and it became a national holiday in 1894.
Today, Labor Day is not only a time to honor workers and their contributions but also marks the unofficial end of summer in the United States, often celebrated with picnics, parades, and various community events.