Labor Day

Labor Day is every year in September, on the first Monday. The following countries join in the celebration: the USA, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Similar holidays, like May Day, are in other countries such as China on the first day of May.

History

Many people treat Labor Day as another weekend on the calendar. On this day, they say goodbye to summer and welcome fall. But where did Labor Day originate? Why is it on the first Monday of September that men and women of working professions are honored? It turns out Labor Day has been in the US and Canada since 1894. The holiday is fundamentally different from other events on the holiday calendar. The main difference is that this day does not glorify any person, religion, or race. There is no reliable data about the founder of the holiday. According to some sources, Labor Day was founded by Peter J. McGuire, an active citizen, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters, and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor.

Interesting Facts

• May Day is now a holiday dedicated to trade unions and workers, but originally May 1 was as a day of spring and the anticipation of summer.
• Another version suggests that the founder of the holiday is not Peter J. McGuire but Matthew Maguire, a machinist, who in 1882 established the event while serving as the secretary of the union in New York.
• The event was first in 1882 in New York, organized by the Central Labor Union.
• Two years later, in 1884, the holiday became an official day off.

How to take part

According to statistics, many families spend this day outdoors; support this idea and organize a picnic. You can go shopping, because many retail stores remain open. Be sure to read about the history of the holiday: the labor movement has been active in America for many years. Support American workers and buy some US-made goods. And in the evening, plan to watch a film about labor unions.

When is Labor Day in 2024?

Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September each year.

Observations