U.S. Labor Day is observed on a Monday—the first Monday in September.
The federal holiday’s fixed weekday creates a three-day weekend for many workers. Unlike holidays tied to a specific calendar date, its numerical date changes each year while its weekday remains Monday.
Congress established this arrangement in 1894 when it made Labor Day a federal holiday. The September timing was already familiar from earlier state and local celebrations, including New York’s first parade in 1882.
Labor Day is distinct from May 1, commonly called International Workers’ Day or Labour Day in many countries. Both holidays are connected with workers and labor movements, but the United States uses the September observance as its principal national labor holiday.