- October 5, 2026
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States. It is unofficially recognized as the end of summer. This holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September. In 2026, it is celebrated on Monday, Sept. 7. Labor is defined as “the physical or mental effort that human beings use to create goods or provide services.” Labor Day was created to honor the American labor movement, and all workers, for their immense and crucial contributions to the development, prosperity, strength and well-being of the United States.
In the late 19th century, the labor movement was growing and various trade unionists proposed a holiday be created to honor and celebrate labor. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union (established in New York City in November 1881 to assist local trade unions with the coordination of strikes, organizing efforts and political lobbying), and the Knights of Labor (the 19th century’s largest American labor union). On Sept. 5, 1882, the first parade to celebrate labor occurred in New York City. Between 10,000 and 20,000 workers took off of work, unpaid, to march in this parade.
Before Labor Day became a federal holiday it was recognized by a multitude of labor activists and approximately 30 states. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed Senate Bill S. 730 and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law making the first Monday in September of each year the legal federal holiday of Labor Day. At this time, Labor Day was only a holiday for federal workers. Over the next several decades, all states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories passed laws that made Labor Day a statutory holiday (a public paid day off).
There are several accounts regarding the origin of Labor Day; however, two men make the strongest case as the Founder of Labor Day. Both are documented, around the same time, as proposing a national day for the celebration of labor and workers.
In 1882, Peter J. McGuire, a vice president of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, which was a predecessor of the American Federation of Labor, suggested that a day for a “general holiday for the laboring classes” to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold,” be celebrated nationally.
In 1882, Matthew Maguire, secretary of the Central Labor Union and later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed a national Labor Day holiday to celebrate the societal contributions of labor and workers.
Reportedly, both men suggested that Labor Day celebrations should include a public parade to demonstrate labor’s solidarity and strength, followed by picnics.
Labor Day celebration traditions include a variety of community parades, festivals, and family activities across the U.S. which occur over the holiday weekend. Some examples include:
Brooklyn, New York: The New York City Labor Day Carnival Parade travels on Eastern Parkway starting at the Brooklyn Museum. High-energy Caribbean music and dancing are also featured.
Chicago, IL: The Chicago Jazz Festival is a large free music event hosted at Millennium Park and lasting over the holiday weekend.
Fort Wayne, Indiana: Hosts an organized Labor Day Picnic at Headwaters Park featuring children’s activities, drinks and food.
Los Angeles, CA: The Cinecon Classic Film Festival is a popular gathering for film historians and classic movie buffs.
Washington, D.C.: The National Symphony Orchestra’s free, no reservations, annual Labor Day weekend concert is performed at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Florida’s Labor Day celebration traditions include a variety of local festivals, theme park and retail discounts, and various outdoor activities which occur over the holiday weekend. Some examples include:
Orlando: The Captain America Kids Event features games and superhero crafts.
Englewood: Hosts the Pioneer Days festival which features a local parade on Dearborn Street and fun cardboard boat races.
Jacksonville: The Celebrate 904 Day Event features local business promotions across the city and free museum admissions.
Miami: The Labor Day Community Celebration is held at Griffing Park and features family-friendly activities, drinks, food, music and water slides.
Okeechobee: Hosts the local Labor Day in the Park celebration featuring a family parade, live entertainment, and food vendors.
The importance of Labor Day is fittingly emphasized on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website: “American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”
“I learned the value of hard work by working hard.” — Margaret Mead (American cultural anthropologist, author and speaker).
Happy Labor Day to one and all.
Randy Jaye has recently researched and nominated five properties that have been successfully added onto the National Register of Historic Places, and is the author of five history books. He also writes articles for historical journals, local newspapers, magazines, online publications, and has appeared on several radio shows and PBS documentaries. He earned both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from California State University.
