How did Labor Day Become a National Holiday?
The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.
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Transcript
What is Labor Day?
Labor Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada to honor workers and their contributions to society.
The holiday is observed on the first Monday in September.
But the first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.
Thousands of workers marched in a parade, followed by a picnic and other festivities.
Within a few years, Labor Day celebrations were being held in several states.
The United States Congress passed a bill that would make Labor Day a national holiday.
At the time, workers in the United States worked long hours. They had few rights. Even children as young as 5 or 6 worked in mines, mills, and factories. Workers were beginning to fight for better conditions through strikes and protests. U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed the new bill into law in June 1894. He hoped to calm the striking and rioting workers across the country. The protests did bring changes eventually.
Today Labor Day still honors workers but it is also considered the unofficial end of summer and a day for celebrating with friends and family.
In Canada, workers held their first parades in 1872 in Ottawa and Toronto. In 1894 Parliament officially recognized the holiday in Canada.
In Canada, workers held their first parades in 1872 in Ottawa and Toronto. In 1894 Parliament officially recognized the holiday in Canada.