It’s more than the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day honors the hard work and achievements of American workers, following in Canada’s footsteps. 

Here in the states it started in the late 19th century, then turned into a federal holiday. Many Americans see it as the end of summer and celebrate as such — with parties, parades and barbecues.

At the height of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. most Americans with jobs worked 7 days/week for an average of 12 hours/day just to get by. And even though there were laws against it in some states, kids as young as five-years-old worked too — in mills, factories and mines. This all triggered protests as labor unions became more vocal and called out terrible conditions. Some of the protests got violent and others were silent objectors.

The first parade in US history on Labor Day was a march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City. And that’s what started the first Monday in September celebrations in many other cities across the country. 

12 years after several states recognized the day with legislation, Congress made it a federal holiday.
Sadly, the end of summer and Labor Day weekend also signal back-to-school time for the kiddos. 👦🏼 🧒🏻