For many Americans, Labor Day signals more than the end of a long summer weekend. It marks the unofficial end of summer and a return to the routines of everyday life.
Celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is often associated with backyard barbecues, parades and one last day of leisure before the fall season begins.
But behind the cookouts and celebrations is a history rooted in the turbulent labor movement of the 19th century, when debates over unions, workers’ rights and the role of government gave the holiday a significance that sets it apart from many other federally recognized holidays.
Here are some interesting facts about the history and traditions surrounding Labor Day.
