Labor Day is celebrated to honor and recognize the services and achievements of workers and the labor movement. It began in the late 19th century with the labor movement’s push for better working conditions, fair wages and workers’ rights.
An important event that led to the celebration of Labor Day was the Haymarket case in Chicago in 1886. A bomb exploded during the workers’ protest for an eight-hour workday, leading to violence and the death of several people, including police officers. , the event drew attention to the struggle of workers and highlighted the need for labor reforms.
In response to the growing labor movement and as a way to cheer workers after the
Haymarket case, Labor Day was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. It was first celebrated on the first Monday of September in 1894. Today, Labor Day is celebrated not only in the United States but in many other countries around the world, often with parades, picnics, and other festivities. It is a reminder of the importance of workers’ rights and the achievements of the labor movement that improve working conditions and quality of life for workers everywhere.