by Carol Wohlfeil

Created on: September 19, 2008

The History of Labor Day in the United States

Labor Day, celebrated annually on the first Monday of September, has come to represent many things to Americans. Whether enjoyed as a final farewell to summer or a time for family and friends to come together for good food, fun, and relaxation, it continues to be a day of honor for working Americans who, through their labors, have helped to make this country strong and prosperous.

The Labor Day holiday was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Although there has been some debate as to who first suggested the idea, evidence indicates that Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, was the first to propose a day to honor the contributions of the working American. The Central Labor Union adopted the proposal in 1882 and a committee was appointed to plan the celebration. The second annual Labor Day event was again held on the same day the following year.

In 1884, the first Monday of September was chosen as the official "workingman's holiday." Labor organizations around the country were encouraged to recognize the holiday and join in the celebration. By 1885, celebrations were taking place in many industrial cities across the nation.

Throughout 1885 and 1886, many areas adopted municipal ordinances recognizing the day as an official holiday. By the following year, the first state bill was sent to the New York legislature. However, the state of Oregon became the first state to actually pass legislation on February 21, 1887, officially recognizing the Labor Day holiday. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York followed soon after. By June 1894, a total of 31 states and the District of Columbia had passed legislation making the first Monday in September a legal holiday.

The events of the original 1882 celebration- parades, festivals, and various forms of recreation for workers and their families- established the accepted pattern for the Labor Day holiday observance. Speeches by prominent Union leaders, business owners, and government officials helped to emphasize the economic and civil importance of the working American and the holiday itself. In 1909, The American Federation of Labor deemed the Sunday before Labor Day as "Labor Sunday," a day to acknowledge the spiritual and educational needs of the labor force as well.

Today, the Labor Day holiday is still celebrated much the same way as it was over 100 years ago. It serves to honor the hard work and dedication of Americans who continue to stand by the ideals and values reflective of economic freedom.

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