Labor Day, a federal holiday in the United States, is an annual celebration of American workers' social and economic accomplishments.
It is observed on the first Monday in September and commemorates the American labor movement, a force that has significantly shaped our work culture by promoting adequate working conditions and fair salaries and recognizing workers' contributions to the nation's success.
Labor Day, often seen as the unofficial end of summer, is a versatile and exciting holiday. It's a time for parades, barbecues, and other outdoor activities. Many people also use the long weekend to take a trip or engage in different leisure activities, making it a holiday full of possibilities and enjoyment.
Here are the dates for Labor Day for the next few years:
Labor Day in the United States doesn't have a single founder, but emerged from the labor movement of the late 19th century. The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union and Peter J. McGuire (American Federation of Labor) or Matthew Maguire (Central Labor Union). Both men have been credited as the "Father of Labor Day."
Labor Day became official in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making it a federal holiday following the deadly Pullman Strike.
Internationally, most countries celebrate International Workers' Day (also called May Day) on May 1st. This commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, which led to Major protests and celebrations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Therefore, people in Japan, China, India, the UK, France, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil celebrate Labor Day on May 1st.
The US and Canada are among the few countries that celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September instead.
| Language | Translation |
|---|---|
| English | Labor Day |
| Mandarin Chinese | (Láodòng Jié) |
| Spanish | Día del Trabajo |
| Arabic | عيد العمال (ʿĪd al-ʿUmmāl) |
| Hindi | श्रम दिवस (Śrama Divas) |
| Portuguese | Dia do Trabalho |
| Russian | День Труда (Den' Truda) |
| Japanese | 労働者の日 (Rōdōsha no Hi) |
| Punjabi | ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰ ਦਿਵਸ (Mazdūr Divas) |
| German | Tag der Arbeit |
Related: When is Christmas?