A brief History of Labor Day.
The origins of Labor Day are more than a century old.
Two men are credited with playing an important role not only in bringing about the parade but the holiday as well.
Mathew Maguire, a machinist from Peterson, NJ, and Peter J. McGuire, a New York City carpenter who helped found the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, are said to have suggested a holiday to honor working people in the United States.
In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day a legal holiday, and in 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday.
The Labor Day parade in New York City was held in September 1882.
Labor Day is observed as a legal holiday on the first Monday in September throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
In Australia, Labor Day is called Eight Hour Day, and it commemorates the successful struggle for a shorter working day.
In Europe, Labor Day is observed on May 1, also know as May Day.