Labor Day Origins

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The origins of Labor Day date back to the 1800's when workers began a labor movement to outline the needs of labor workers.

There is some disagreement over who actually first proposed the idea of Labor Day. Most historians believe credit should go to Matthew Maguire. It is believed he first proposed the Labor Day holiday as a demonstration and picnic by the Central Labor Union.

The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 by the Central Labor Union in New York City. After that the idea of Labor Day celebrations spread throughout the nation and by 1894 legislation was passed by Congress, making Labor Day an official holiday.

While the first Labor Day celebrations were meant to highlight the need to preserve and protect the rights of the US worker, as time moved on the focus of Labor Day has changed. Since the labor movement in the US is much different today (less than 15% of all US workers belong to a union), Labor Day is seen as more of a symbolic holiday. We honor the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

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