Labor Day 2024 falls on Monday, September 2marks the unofficial end of summer and ushers in the beginning of fall. The annual holiday is more than 125 years old and was originally established to honor the contributions of workers throughout the year and to the American labor movement.
Although it marks the end of the summer season, Labor Day offers most workers the benefit of a three-day weekend and numerous sales at major retailers.
But be warned: Government buildings and offices are usually closed on federal holidayswhich means you may not be able to use post offices, banks or courts on Monday 2 September.
Read more from AS USA:
What is the history of Labor Day?
Labor Day is an annual federal holiday in the United States since 1894It was created to honor the American labor movement and the enormous contribution that millions of workers have made to the development and prosperity of the United States. The holiday is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and the Virgin Islands.
For most Americans, it means having a day off from work. It is often symbolic is considered the end of summer and the beginning of autumn when the kids go back to school. There is always a lot to do on Labor Day and the weekends leading up to it. Many use the holiday to spend quality time with family and friends. It is usually celebrated with picnics, barbecues, street parades, fireworks, concerts and other events and activities. Although employees have the day off on Labor Day, their employers pay them as usual.
Is Labor Day different from May 1st in other parts of the world?
Conservative Democratic President Grover Cleveland was among those who feared that a day off work on May 1 might tend to become a reminder of the Haymarket riots and might strengthen the socialist and anarchist movements that supported May Day observances around the globe.
The American Labor Day is actually older than the European Labor Day, known as International Workers Day. Many countries in Europe and other parts of the world celebrate May 1st with their own holiday. Nevertheless, the US government met International Workers Day by “Day of Loyalty”, which was first ratified by Congress in the 1950s during the Red Scare.
