This year marks the 130th anniversary of Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September. While recent actions by unions highlight the holiday’s activist origins, the three-day weekend has become a significant marker for many Americans as they welcome the unofficial end of summer.
The inception of Labor Day as a federal holiday can be traced back to the late 19th century, when labor activists aimed to honor the contributions of workers. The first Labor Day celebration in the United States occurred in New York City on September 5, 1882, featuring a parade with around 10,000 participants organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor. During this period, workers were experiencing a decline in their quality of life while factory owners prospered, according to Todd Vachon, an assistant professor from the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.
In the years that followed, various cities and states initiated laws to recognize Labor Day. It was President Grover Cleveland who signed a congressional act in 1894 to officially designate it as a federal holiday. This year was also marked by a significant strike among workers from the Pullman Palace Car Company, who protested wage cuts despite high rent in their company-owned town near Chicago. The violent clash during this strike resulted in the death of over a dozen workers after federal troops were dispatched to restore order. Some historians view Cleveland’s decision to establish Labor Day as a federal holiday as a move to reconcile with the working class after these events.
During the long Labor Day weekend, many Americans take advantage of the time off to travel and enjoy summer activities. Airports and highways brace for increased traffic as people embark on sorties, while many households engage in barbecues and gatherings with family and friends. Barbecuing has been a festive component of Labor Day celebrations since their inception, according to culinary historian Robert F. Moss. The tradition, deeply embedded in American culture, naturally evolved into a communal activity over the years, transitioning from large gatherings to backyard celebrations.
The way Americans acknowledge Labor Day may depend on the union presence in their area. For instance, Chicago hosts a parade and festival in the Pullman neighborhood, the birthplace of Labor Day, attracting union members and their families from across the region.
Since Labor Day was established as a federal holiday, the labor movement in the U.S. has undergone significant changes. Initially, unions faced substantial opposition, with courts frequently deeming strikes illegal, which led to violent confrontations. It wasn’t until the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 that private sector employees received the legal right to unionize. Over time, more states adopted laws allowing public sector unionization, though collective bargaining rights for public workers remain unavailable in some states. Recently, there has been a noticeable resurgence in labor organizing, particularly among younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z, who are entering a workforce reminiscent of past labor struggles, where adequate wages remain an ongoing issue.
Moreover, the fashionable dilemma of wearing white after Labor Day stems from fashion conventions likely rooted in the Gilded Age, coinciding with the holiday’s origins. Wealthy New Yorkers would typically retire their light-colored summer attire upon returning to the city after the season. According to Christy Crutsinger, a merchandising professor at the University of North Texas, while the rule persists in popular discourse, it is not strictly adhered to in contemporary fashion dynamics.
As back-to-school shopping commences and business attire shifts back to more formal styles, Labor Day serves as a transitional moment between summer relaxation and the return to more serious endeavors.