Labor Day in the USA: Why is it celebrated in September and not May? Origin and meaning of Labor Day
Unlike other countries that celebrate Labor Day in May, in the United States, it is celebrated on September 1.
On Monday, September 1, the United States will observe Labor Day, which is one of eleven federal holidays.
The day honors the origins of the labor movement and the achievements won by and for workers through strikes and protests—including one of the most significant: the Haymarket Massacre, which took place in Chicago on May 1, 1886. The massacre followed a general strike involving over 350,000 workers. In response, the federal government called in police to break the strike, leading to the deaths of 12 strikers and injuring dozens more.
During these strikes, workers demanded better conditions. At the time, many workers were forced to work 12-hour days, seven days a week, with no right to rest and in unsafe, unsanitary environments. The Haymarket Affair is a key moment in the history of Labor Day, which is why many countries commemorate the holiday on May 1. However, the U.S. chose a different path, celebrating Labor Day on the first Monday of September.
Why is Labor Day celebrated in September?
The Second International, an international federation of socialists and trade unions in Europe, voted in 1889 to organize a day of demonstrations the following year. The date they chose was May 1, the anniversary of an 1886 strike in Chicago that ended in bloodshed, known as the Haymarket Riot. The date was selected to recognize a victory almost a decade earlier, establishing the eight-hour workday, which took many more years to be enforced, but was still considered a major victory for labor.
However, there was little interest in the US, at the federal level, to follow the dictates of the Second International. Nevertheless, after a series of bloody incidents between workers and the authorities, Congress finally passed legislation to establish the first of September as Labor Day in 1894, hoping to move away from the united, international working class celebration of May 1. Thus, American workers take to the streets on the first Monday in September to continue the struggle for better working conditions.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.