Long weekend unlocked, almost! Between parades, cookouts, and last-chance summer adventures, Labor Day is all about celebrating the people who keep America ticking.
Whether you’re flipping burgers or flipping cards, deal yourself some trivia for the BBQ. Here are 10 fun Labor Day facts, from the very first parade to the famous ‘don’t wear white’ rule.
1. It’s always a Monday
Labor Day lands on the first Monday in September, that’s by design, giving everyone a guaranteed three-day weekend.
2. The first big celebration was in NYC (1882)
On September 5, 1882, about 10,000 workers marched in New York City to demand better working conditions.
3. Oregon went first
Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day official, back in 1887.
4. It became a federal holiday in 1894
President Grover Cleveland signed the law on June 28, 1894, making it official nationwide.
5. Who “invented” it? Two guys with almost the same name
Historians still debate: was it Peter J. McGuire or Matthew Maguire? Both were involved in that first NYC parade.
6. Parades + parties were part of the plan
The earliest celebrations called for a street parade, then a festival, which is pretty much how many people celebrate today.
7. There was also a “Labor Sunday”
In 1909, the American Federation of Labor suggested the Sunday before Labor Day for the movement’s “spiritual and educational” side.
8. It’s the “unofficial end of summer”
The holiday is seen as the symbolic end of summer; parades, barbecues, and ballgames make it one of the season’s last big hurrahs.
9. “No wearing white after Labor Day”? Outdated
The fashion “rule” goes back to old social norms, but today it’s more myth than mandate.
10. Canada celebrates too
In the U.S. and Canada, Labor Day/Labour Day falls on the first Monday in September; many other countries honor workers on May 1.
Bonus Fact: Pop Culture Throwback
The MDA “Jerry Lewis” Telethon ran every Labor Day weekend for decades, raising billions for charity.
Wrap-Up
From 19th-century parades to backyard BBQs, Labor Day is a tribute to hard work and celebration. Want to keep the holiday theme going? Check out our roundup of the Best Labor Day Slots for 2025.
Happy Labor Day! 🎉
Quick FAQs
When is Labor Day 2025?
Monday, September 1.
Why do we celebrate Labor Day?
To honor the contributions of American workers, rooted in the 19th-century labor movement.
Who started Labor Day?
Debated: Peter J. McGuire vs. Matthew Maguire.
Is it Labor or Labour?
In the U.S., it’s “Labor Day.” In Canada and the U.K., it’s “Labour Day.”
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Disclaimer: This article is intended as a lighthearted, entertainment-focused post sharing fun trivia about Labor Day. It is not meant to provide legal, historical, or any form of advice. For authoritative information about the holiday, please refer to official sources such as the U.S. Department of Labor.
