First Observance

• The first Labor Day was held on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. It was celebrated primarily in New York City for the first two years. As labor organizations spread throughout the country, the Central Labor Union pressured other cities to take part in the holiday, eventually moved to a Monday. The "workingmen's holiday" was celebrated in nearly every major city around the country by 1885.
  
  

Originators

• There is much debate as to who created Labor Day. Some records from the American Federation of Labor point to the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Peter J. McGuire. He suggested there be a day to honor workers in 1882. However, there is also evidence that shows the secretary of Central Labor Union of New York, Matthew Maguire, suggested the holiday and appointed a committee. Both men are now accredited with the origins of Labor Day.
  
  

Early History

• For the first few years, the holiday was mainly a voluntary celebration depending on the company and location. However, by 1886, a number of municipalities began to pass ordinances that supported the concept of the holiday. Labor Day got an extra push in 1887 when the Oregon state legislature passed a law that officially recognized the holiday. It was soon followed by Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts later that year. By 1894, 31 states had adopted the holiday. Congress itself followed suit halfway through the year, making it a legal holiday in Washington, D.C., and the nation's territories.
  
  

Features

• The Central Labor Union outlined the way Labor Day should be observed and celebrated. It called for a parade in the street that exhibited the spirit of laborers and trade organizations. This was to be followed by a festival to be attended by workers and their families. In 1909, the American Federation of Labor introduced the idea of Sunday services prior to the holiday. These services focused on the link between workers and spirituality.
  
  

Modern Observances

• Throughout the 20th century, the emphasis on celebrations declined as the holiday grew more internal. By the 1950s and 1960s, Labor Day primarily became a day of rest for workers and a time to spend with families and to hold outdoor activities such as picnics. Although parades continue to be prominent, the celebration is now associated primarily with the de facto end of summer.