Labor Day in United States

Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.

What do people do?

Labor Day is a day of rest or the last chance for many people to go on 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.

May 1 is Lei Day in Hawaii, where celebrations include lei-making competitions, concerts, as well as giving and receiving leis to friends and family.

Public life

Labor Day is a federal holiday. All Government offices, schools and organizations and many 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

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Weekday	Date	Year	Name	Holiday type	Where it is observed
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
Mon	Sep 5	2016	Labor Day	National holiday
Mon	Sep 4	2017	Labor Day	National holiday
Mon	Sep 3	2018	Labor Day	National holiday
Mon	Sep 2	2019	Labor Day	National holiday
Mon	Sep 7	2020	Labor Day	National holiday

Other holidays in September 2013 in United States

• Rosh Hashana ―Thursday, September 5, 2013
• Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ―Saturday, September 7, 2013
• International Literacy Day ―Sunday, September 8, 2013
• National Grandparents Day ―Sunday, September 8, 2013
• World Suicide Prevention Day ―Tuesday, September 10, 2013
• Patriot Day ―Wednesday, September 11, 2013
• International Day for South-South Cooperation ―Thursday, September 12, 2013
• Friday the 13th ―Friday, September 13, 2013
• International Programmers' Day ―Friday, September 13, 2013
• Yom Kippur ―Saturday, September 14, 2013
• International Day of Democracy ―Sunday, September 15, 2013
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer ―Monday, September 16, 2013
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day ―Tuesday, September 17, 2013
• First day of Sukkot ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• National POW/MIA Recognition Day ―Friday, September 20, 2013
• International Day of Peace ―Saturday, September 21, 2013
• Emancipation Day ―Sunday, September 22, 2013
• September equinox ―Sunday, September 22, 2013
• Last day of Sukkot ―Wednesday, September 25, 2013
• Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah ―Thursday, September 26, 2013
• World Maritime Day ―Thursday, September 26, 2013
• World Tourism Day ―Friday, September 27, 2013
• World Rabies Day ―Saturday, September 28, 2013
• World Heart Day ―Sunday, September 29, 2013
• Gold Star Mother's Day ―Sunday, September 29, 2013