Labor Day 2024: When is Labor Day celebrated in the United States?

The United States recognizes 11 federal holidays throughout the year, from New Year’s Day to Christmas Day. The next public holiday on the calendar is Labor Day.

In 1882, the first American unions proposed creating a holiday to recognize the contributions of workers to the country, but it was not until 1894 that Congress recognized Labor Day as an official holiday.

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When is Labor Day celebrated in the United States in 2024?

Unlike other countries, which celebrate Labor Day on May 1, the United States marks the occasion on the first Monday in September. This year, the U.S. celebrates Labor Day, also considered unofficially as the last day of summer, on Monday, September 2.

Because it is a public holiday, federal offices are required by law to close, so government employees get a paid day off. Other establishments, such as schools, businesses, banks, and supermarkets, decide whether or not to close. Many companies give their workers paid time off on this day.

Typically, banks, post offices, stock exchanges and schools are closed for business on Labor Day, but pharmacies and restaurants are not. As for supermarkets, most remain open. In the case of Costco, all of its stores nationwide will close on September 2.

After Labor Day, the holidays remaining this year are the following:

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Why is Labor Day celebrated in September and not on May 1?

According to the Department of Labor, it is not entirely clear who first suggested that the Labor Day holiday be held in September, and there are several theories as to why it is commemorated in that month.

Some sources point to Matthew Maguire as proposing the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the New York Central Labor Union. Others argue that Peter J. Mcguire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested a holiday for the working classes in 1882.

The first celebration of Labor Day was the Labor Day Parade in New York City on September 5, 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union and other labor organizations to create a holiday for workers.

In 1894, President Grover Cleveland made it a federal holiday. Labor Day was set for the first Monday in September supposedly because it was considered a more politically neutral date than May 1, which traces its origins to the Haymarket Riot.

Some sources point out that Labor Day was established in September so as not to “reinforce the revolutionary and socialist character” of the origin of the commemoration. Another theory as to why the day is celebrated in September in the United States is that it would shorten the long gap that existed between the July 4 holiday and Thanksgiving.