All Topics  
Labor Day

 

   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link






 

Labor Day



 
 
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday
Federal holiday

In the United States, a federal holiday is a public holiday recognized by the Government of the United States. Non-essential federal government offices are closed....
 observed on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009). The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union
Central Labor Union

The Central Labor Union of New York, Brooklyn, and New Jersey was an early trade union organization that later broke up into various locals, which are now AFL-CIO members....
 (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Congress
Act of Congress

An act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States government....
 made Labor Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, two months after the May Day Riots of 1894. All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Labor Day'
Start a new discussion about 'Labor Day'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Labor Day is a United States federal holiday
Federal holiday

In the United States, a federal holiday is a public holiday recognized by the Government of the United States. Non-essential federal government offices are closed....
 observed on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009). The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union
Central Labor Union

The Central Labor Union of New York, Brooklyn, and New Jersey was an early trade union organization that later broke up into various locals, which are now AFL-CIO members....
 (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Congress
Act of Congress

An act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States government....
 made Labor Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, two months after the May Day Riots of 1894. All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, of late, schools have begun well before Labor Day, as early as July 24 in many urban districts, including major southern cities in the United States such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League
National Football League

The National Football League is the Major North American professional sports leagues American football Sports league in the United States. It is an unincorporated 501#501.28c.29.286.29 association controlled by its members....
 and NCAA College Football
College football

College football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American University, colleges, and United States military academies....
. The NCAA usually plays their first games the week before Labor day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.