09/07/2026
🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day!
Honoring the People Behind the Work
Today, we celebrate Labor Day, a holiday dedicated to recognizing the hard work, dedication, contributions, and achievements of American workers.
While many of us know Labor Day as a three day weekend and the unofficial end of summer, its history goes much deeper. Labor Day has its roots in the late 1800s, when workers across the country began coming together to advocate for safer workplaces, fairer wages, reasonable working hours, and better working conditions.
A Little Labor Day History…
Did you know?
-The first Labor Day celebration took place on September 5, 1882, in New York City. It was organized by the Central Labor Union. Thousands of workers and their families participated in a parade and celebration. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-Labor Day wasn’t always a federal holiday. Oregon became the first state to officially recognize Labor Day in 1887. Several other states followed, and by 1894, 23 additional states had adopted the holiday. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-Labor Day became a national legal holiday in 1894. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation establishing the first Monday in September as Labor Day. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-There are two men commonly associated with the creation of Labor Day: labor leaders Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire. Historical evidence suggests Matthew Maguire may have played a particularly important role in proposing the holiday while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-The very first celebration was more than just a day off. The original Labor Day concept included a parade showcasing workers and labor organizations, followed by a festival for workers and their families. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-The first Labor Day parade almost didn’t happen! On the morning of the first celebration, organizers were worried because only a small number of marchers had arrived. Then approximately 200 jewelers from Newark arrived with a marching band, helping get the parade underway. Eventually, estimates placed the number of people participating in the day’s events at tens of thousands. (U.S. Department of Labor)
-Labor Day is about more than the labor movement. It recognizes the countless workers whose efforts have helped build communities, businesses, families, and our country.
Why Labor Day Still Matters?
Every day, people show up to work in offices, factories, schools, hospitals, construction sites, farms, stores, restaurants, transportation, public service, and countless other industries.
Behind every job is someone’s time, effort, skill, dedication, and determination.
Today, we recognize all of it.
Whether you’re working today, enjoying a day off, spending time with family, traveling, or simply taking a well-deserved break. we hope you take a moment to appreciate the workers who keep our communities moving forward.
Happy Labor Day! Stay safe!
