The History of Labor Day

In the United States, the first Monday of September is known as Labor Day. This low-key holiday can trace its roots back to the 1880's.

As the industrial revolution kicked into full gear in the 1880's, there came a need to dedicate a day to those American laborers who had contributed to the strength, prosperity, and well being of the country. Thus, the concept for a labor day was born.

While some records suggest Peter McGuire from the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners first proposed the holiday, other records pint to Matthew McGuire as the person who first suggested the holiday in 1882 while serving as the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What records do clearly indicate is that the Central Labor Union adopted the proposal and planned a demonstration along with a picnic. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882.

The Central Labor Union encouraged other labor organizations to follow their example. They celebrated the Labor Day holiday in 1883 and 1884, encouraging others to institute a "workingmen's holiday." Municipal ordnances throughout the country were passed in 1885 and 1886 to recognize Labor Day. In 1886, after a general strike, an eight-hour day workday was instituted. Surprisingly, Oregon was the first state to pass legislation to acknowledge the holiday on February 21, 1887. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York passed similar state laws later that year. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.

Labor Day, unlike other holidays, doesn't celebrate the end of a war or pay tribute to a certain event; instead it celebrates the every day worker. The type of celebration and observance the holiday should take was outlined in its first proposal, which included a street parade to demonstrate to the public the "strength and esprit de corps of the labor unions," followed by a festival for the workers' families.