Labor Day in United States
Quick Facts
Labor Day is held to give workers a day of rest and celebrate their contribution to the American economy.Name
Labor DayLabor Day 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008Labor Day 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009See list of observations below
Labor Day is held on the first Monday in September. It was originally organized to celebrate the strengths of and contributions to the United States economy made by the labor associations. Now it is largely a day of rest. Many people see it as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.
Labor Day is a day of rest for many people. ©iStockphoto.com/Marisa Allegra Williams
What do people do?
For most people, Labor Day is a day of rest or the last chance to make trips before the summer ends. For students, it is the last chance to organize parties before school starts again. In some neighborhoods, people organize fireworks displays, barbecues and public arts or sports events. The football season starts on or around Labor Day and many teams play their first game of the year during Labor Day weekend.Traditionally, people did not wear white clothes, particularly shoes, after Labor day. However, this custom is slowly dying out. More and more people now wear white all year round, rather than just in the summer. Similarly, it is the custom to wear a straw cowboy hat from Memorial Day until Labor Day, then a felt one until Memorial Day comes around again.
Public life
Labor Day is a federal holiday. All Government offices, schools and organizations and most businesses are closed. Some public celebrations, such as fireworks displays, picnics and barbecues, are organized, but they are usually low key events. For many teams, it is the start of the football season. As it is the last chance for many people to take summer trips, there may be some congestion on highways and at airports. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables.Background
The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.About Labor Day in other countries
Read more about Labor Day.Labor Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Sep 1 | 1980 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 1981 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 6 | 1982 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 5 | 1983 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 3 | 1984 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 2 | 1985 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 1 | 1986 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 1987 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 5 | 1988 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 4 | 1989 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 3 | 1990 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 2 | 1991 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 1992 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 6 | 1993 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 5 | 1994 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 4 | 1995 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 2 | 1996 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 1 | 1997 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 1998 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 6 | 1999 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 4 | 2000 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 3 | 2001 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 2 | 2002 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 1 | 2003 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 6 | 2004 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 5 | 2005 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 4 | 2006 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 3 | 2007 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 1 | 2008 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 2009 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 6 | 2010 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 5 | 2011 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 3 | 2012 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 2 | 2013 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 1 | 2014 | Labor Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 7 | 2015 | Labor Day | National holiday |
Other holidays in September 2008 in United States
- Ramadan begins (Tuesday, September 2, 2008)
- Patriot Day (Thursday, September 11, 2008)
- Autumnal equinox (Monday, September 22, 2008)
- Laylat al-Qadr (Saturday, September 27, 2008)
- Rosh Hashana (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
