Labor Day May 2026

: Following the violent Pullman Strike in 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation on June 28, 1894, making Labor Day a federal legal holiday. This was partly an effort to reconcile with organized labor after the strike.

While North America celebrates in September, more than 150 other countries observe on May 1 .

: The first Labor Day parade took place on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 , in New York City. Organized by the Central Labor Union, roughly 10,000 workers took unpaid leave to march from City Hall to 42nd Street. Labor Day

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States and Canada that honors the achievements and contributions of workers. Historically rooted in the labor movement of the late 19th century, it is traditionally celebrated on the . History and Origins

May Day was chosen to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a labor protest turned violent. : Following the violent Pullman Strike in 1894,

: Credit for the idea is often split between two men with similar names: Peter J. McGuire , a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire , a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union. How It is Celebrated

: Typical activities include backyard barbecues, picnics, fireworks, and public events like parades or athletic festivals. : The first Labor Day parade took place

: In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act ensured Labor Day and several other holidays would always fall on Mondays to provide three-day weekends for workers. Labor Day | Meaning, History, & Facts - Britannica