Day - Labor

While North America celebrates in September, more than 150 other countries observe on May 1 .

: It marks the transition from summer to fall, often being the last major travel weekend before school resumes.

: The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as "hot dog season," during which Americans consume an estimated 7 billion hot dogs. Global Context (May Day vs. Labor Day) Labor Day

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

: Credit for the idea is often split between two men with similar names: Peter J. McGuire , a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire , a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union. How It is Celebrated While North America celebrates in September, more than

: The first Labor Day parade took place on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 , in New York City. Organized by the Central Labor Union, roughly 10,000 workers took unpaid leave to march from City Hall to 42nd Street.

: 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. Global Context (May Day vs

: Typical activities include backyard barbecues, picnics, fireworks, and public events like parades or athletic festivals.