3 min readLabor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer for many Americans. But have you ever wondered why a holiday with “labor” in the name is all about taking a break? Ahead, we explore the real meaning of Labor Day.
What Is Labor Day’s Meaning?
Labor Day honors the contributions and achievements of American workers—and the labor movement’s long fight for better pay, safer conditions, and shorter hours. It’s celebrated on the first Monday in September; in 2026, that falls on September 7.
Labor Day became a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed legislation establishing it as a legal national holiday. By then, several states and many municipalities already held Labor Day celebrations.
What’s the History of Labor Day?
In the decades after the Civil War, the United States was rapidly industrializing. Many workers in factories, mills, mines, and railroads faced long hours, low pay, unsafe conditions, and little legal protection. Labor unions and other worker organizations pushed for changes, including the eight-hour workday.
One early Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. Organized by the Central Labor Union, the event began with a parade from City Hall to Union Square, followed by speeches and a picnic. An estimated 10,000 people participated—many of them taking the day off without pay.
Labor Day’s national recognition came amid another major chapter in labor history: the Pullman Strike of 1894. Workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company near Chicago went on strike after wage cuts, and the American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, organized a nationwide boycott of Pullman cars. The boycott disrupted rail traffic and mail service. Federal troops and U.S. Marshals were sent in, and fighting between troops and workers left dozens of people dead.
Against this backdrop, Congress passed legislation establishing Labor Day, and Cleveland signed it into law on June 28. The holiday’s creation did not end the labor movement’s work, but it gave the nation an annual occasion to recognize the value of work and the people who do it.
Who Started Labor Day?
The short answer is: historians aren’t certain. Peter J. McGuire, a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was long credited with proposing a holiday for working people. But Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of New York’s Central Labor Union, is also considered a likely originator. The Department of Labor says both men may have played a role.
Why Does the U.S. Celebrate Labor Day in September?
September was already associated with Labor Day before it became a federal holiday. New York City’s first celebration was held in early September, and in 1884 the Central Labor Union called for Labor Day to be observed on the first Monday of the month. The date was later written into federal law.
The United States’ September holiday is distinct from International Workers’ Day, or May Day, which is observed in many countries on May 1. May Day’s history is tied in part to the 1886 movement for an eight-hour workday and the Haymarket affair in Chicago. Canada also celebrates Labour Day on the first Monday in September, while Japan observes Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23.
Why Do People Work on Labor Day?
Labor Day is a federal holiday, so federal offices—including post offices—are closed, and banks generally follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. But federal holidays don’t require private businesses to close. Many retailers, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, farms, and other businesses remain open, which means some Americans still have to work on Labor Day.
So while you’re scouting out the best Labor Day clearance sales, soaking up the sun, or eating your heart out, take a moment to remember what the holiday is really about: the workers who keep the country moving—and the generations of workers who fought to make jobs safer and fairer.
Terri Robertson has been an editor and storyteller for more than 20 years. As Deputy Digital Editor at Country Living, she curates daily newsletters and has found a niche writing about odd corners of the internet and people embracing American life off the beaten path. She’s passionate about gardening and nature, writing about everything from super monarchs to supermoons. She also contributes to Country Living’s entertainment coverage, including HGTV stars, popular TV shows, and music. Terri began her career proofreading Southern Living cookbooks—a first job befitting an English major with a childhood penchant for reading her mom’s cookbooks—and went on to edit many food, garden, and lifestyle titles. She later worked for the University of Alabama’s marketing and communications division, capturing the stories of students and faculty. Returning to lifestyle media in 2017, she covered local arts, culture, and business news in Birmingham, Alabama, for Bham Now and later served as digital media manager for Flower magazine, a luxury home, garden, and lifestyle publication, before finding her home at Country Living. She and her husband live with their four cats in Birmingham.
