Labor Day Now

The holiday emerged during the Industrial Revolution, when workers faced harsh conditions, such as 12-hour workdays and 7-day workweeks.

May Day was chosen to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a labor protest turned violent. Labor Day

: Following the violent Pullman Strike in 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation on June 28, 1894, making Labor Day a federal legal holiday. This was partly an effort to reconcile with organized labor after the strike. The holiday emerged during the Industrial Revolution, when

While North America celebrates in September, more than 150 other countries observe on May 1 . This was partly an effort to reconcile with

While its origins were focused on parades and political speeches to demonstrate the strength of trade unions, modern celebrations are more social.

: Oregon was the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day in 1887.