09/04/2023
What is the history of Labor Day?
Labor Day became a U.S. federal holiday in 1894, but by that time thirty states already officially celebrated the holiday. Labor Day was created by members of the labor movement, who organized strikes and rallies to fight for better working conditions amid the Industrial Revolution, according to the History Channel.
On September 5, 1882, New York City union leaders organized what is now considered the country's first Labor Day parade, according to National Geographic. On this day, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march through the streets of New York City, in an event culminating in a picnic, fireworks, and dancing. Organizers declared the day "a general holiday for the workingmen of this city." Their idea spread across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing the workers' holiday.
