Labor Day in the United States is
a public holiday celebrated
on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and
the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country.
It is the Monday of the long weekend known
as Labor Day Weekend and it is considered the unofficial end
of summer in the United States. It is recognized as a federal holiday.
Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew,
trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.
"Labor Day" was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor,
which organized the first parade in New York City.
In 1887, Oregon was
the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday.
By the time it became an official federal holiday in
1894, thirty states in the United States officially celebrated Labor
Day.[2]
Labor Day is called the "unofficial end of
summer"[9] because
it marks the end of the cultural summer season. Many take their two-week vacations during
the two weeks ending Labor Day weekend.[10] Many
fall activities, such as school and sports begin about this time.
In the United States, many school districts resume classes
around the Labor Day holiday weekend (see First day of school). Many begin the week
before, making Labor Day weekend the first three-day weekend of the school
calendar, while others return the Tuesday following Labor Day, allowing
families one final getaway before the school year begins. Many districts across
the Midwest are opting to begin school after Labor Day.[11]
