The first Labor Day celebration in the United States was held in 1882.
The event took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. The Central Labor Union organized a parade and public festival to showcase the solidarity and contributions of workers. Thousands of people participated, making it an important early example of a workers’ holiday in the United States.
Labor Day was not initially a federal holiday. Several states and municipalities adopted versions of the observance during the 1880s. Congress later made it a federal holiday in 1894, establishing the first Monday in September as the official date.
The 1882 event is often described as the first Labor Day celebration, although labor organizations had already held demonstrations and workers’ festivals under related names. It also predates International Workers’ Day, which is observed on May 1 in many countries.