United States Labor Day: History and 2026 observance

Labor Day in the United States is observed annually on the first Monday of September to honor the social and economic contributions of American workers. In 2026, the holiday falls on September 7.

The origins of the celebration date back to the late 19th century, with the first Labor Day held on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by the Central Labor Union. By 1894, 23 states had adopted the holiday. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed the law establishing the first Monday in September as the official national federal holiday.

As a federal holiday, Labor Day results in the closure of non-essential government offices, the U.S. Postal Service, most banks, and various financial institutions. It also typically affects the operations of public libraries, schools, and many public universities.