Labor Day is a time for celebrations. It’s a day to celebrate the end of summer and all that comes with it.
During the three day Labor Day weekend, many Americans will hit their roads, search for online deals, and possibly enjoy one last trip to the beaches. 
But the federal holiday offers so much more. It’s not just a long break in the middle of the summer. Labor Day, which is observed on the first Monday in September each year, is an annual celebration of America’s labor movement’s hard-won victories and the contributions of workers to the country’s prosperity.
Why do you celebrate Labor Day?
This holiday was born out of the labor movement in the late 19th century. It was a time when American workers faced low wages, long hours and unsafe working conditions.
History.com reports that during the Industrial Revolution when labor unions were fighting for better working conditions for workers, it was decided to set aside a special day to honor the union members.
Many Americans still celebrate Labor Day today with parties and parades — the festivities that were first proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor for the holiday. Since those early celebrations Labor Day has also been marked by speeches given by elected officials, community leaders and other stakeholders who stress the economic and civic significance.
How did Labor Day begin?
According to the Labor Department, two workers are able to claim the title as the official founders of Labor Day. 
According to some records, it was Peter J. McGuire who, as co-founder of American Federation of Labor in 1882, first proposed the idea of the holiday. Recent research has supported the claim that Matthew Maguire, a machinist who served as secretary of Central Labor Union New York in 1882, was the one to propose the holiday.
Labor Day was recognized by union activists and states before it became an official federal holiday.
Labor Day was first celebrated in New York City in 1882, by the Central Labor Union. According to History.com, on that day, 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Square without being paid. 
According to the Labor Department, New York was the first state to introduce legislation recognizing Labor Day. However, Oregon was the first state to pass a similar law in 1887. In 1894, the holiday was celebrated in 32 states.
When did Labor Day first become federally recognized?
Labor Day was declared a national holiday by Grover Cleveland in 1894, when he signed a bill passed by Congress that designated the first Monday of September as a holiday for employees.
The federal recognition of workers’ rights was hard won, after a wave unrest amongst workers and labor activists raised the issue in the public eye.
According to History.com, in May of that year, Pullman Palace Car employees in Chicago went on a strike to protest wage reductions and the firing union representatives. The government sent troops to Chicago a month later to stop a boycott against Pullman rail cars that was initiated by Eugene V. Debs. This led to a series of deadly riots.
Congress passed a law quickly making Labor Day in District of Columbia, and all the Territories a legal holiday. Cleveland had signed the law by June 28.
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