why labor day

Labor Day is celebrated to honor the contributions and achievements of workers and the labor movement. It originated in the late 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, when workers faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. Labor unions organized strikes and rallies demanding fair wages, an eight-hour workday, and better working conditions. The holiday is a tribute to the resilience and solidarity of workers, recognizing their role in building society and improving labor rights. In the United States, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September and became a federal holiday in 1894. It also symbolizes the unofficial end of summer and is marked by parades, picnics, and festivals. This day is distinct from International Workers’ Day (May Day), which commemorates the Haymarket Affair of 1886 and is celebrated in many countries on May 1. The U.S. chose a September date partly to avoid the socialist and violent associations with May Day and to create its own labor holiday.