Labor Day in the United States originated in the late 19th century as a celebration and recognition of the American labor movement and workers' contributions. The first Labor Day parade was organized by the Central Labor Union in New York City on September 5, 1882, where thousands of workers marched, followed by picnics and festivities
. The idea of a holiday to honor workers was promoted by labor leaders such as Peter J. McGuire, a vice president of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, who proposed a general holiday for laborers with a parade and picnic, ideally held on the first Monday in September to fit between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving
. The Knights of Labor also adopted this idea in 1884, helping to spread the observance across several states
. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland amid labor unrest, including the Pullman Strike, to help ease tensions between workers and the government
. By then, it was already an official holiday in many states. The holiday commemorates the struggles and achievements of workers, especially their fight for better working conditions such as the eight-hour workday, which had been highlighted by events like the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago
. In summary, Labor Day started as a workers' parade and celebration in 1882, promoted by labor unions to honor workers' rights and contributions, and was made a national holiday in 1894 to recognize the labor movement and improve worker conditions in the U.S.
