MAIN Home Life Holidays Labor Day

Traditionally, Labor Day serves as the unofficial end of summer - with families closing up summer houses and U.S. beaches & resorts pack it in for the season.

Flag waving mixes with the aroma of barbecue in many American backyards, as cities across the country mark the holiday with Labor Day parades, festivals & fireworks as well as last minute back to school shopping and major Labor Day sales at malls nationwide.

How Labor Day Began

On September 5, 1882 in New York City the first Labor Day in the U.S. was celebrated as a "workingman's holiday" when (despite the threat of mass firings!) workers united in a parade 10,000 strong down Broadway proudly led by Irish-American activist Peter MacGuire.

A holiday was born.

From New York, the idea spread across the country to honor workers every year. Congress finally passed official legislation in 1894 making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

This year, it falls on Monday, September 3, 2012.

More about Labor Day around the Web:

Labor Free Labor Day Menu - Get away from that hot grill with this easy menu for backyard entertaining including make-ahead recipes for cold appetizers and desserts, crockpot meals and simple side dishes. Enjoy..

Labor Day Kids Party Fun - Lots of good ideas for celebrating the day including do-it-yourself invitations, decorations, games & activities, recipes and party supply resources.

2012 Labor Day Celebrations Across the U.S.

Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago, Illinois

Three County Fair - Northampton, Massachusetts

Detroit Jazz Festival - Detroit, Michigan

West Indian American Day Carnival & Parade - Brooklyn, New York

Cleveland National Airshow, Cleveland, Ohio

Riverfest - Cincinnati, Ohio

Boomsday - Knoxville, Tennessee

Vermont State Fair - Rutland, Vermont

Warrenton Horse Show - Warrenton, Virginia

Bumbershoot - Seattle, Washington

more on Labor Day -> Labor Day Trivia & Fun Facts

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