Labor Day in the United States originated in the late 19th century as a celebration of the American labor movement and the contributions of workers. The first Labor Day parade was held on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by the Central Labor Union, where approximately 10,000 workers marched to demand better working conditions, including an eight-hour workday

. The holiday grew out of a context of harsh labor conditions during the Industrial Revolution, when many workers, including children, endured long hours-often 12 or more hours a day, six days a week-in unsafe and unhealthy environments

. Labor Day parades and celebrations became a way to demonstrate solidarity and strength among workers and unions

. Several figures are credited with proposing the idea of Labor Day, including Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union and Peter J. McGuire, a vice president of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions. The holiday was intended to be a general holiday for the laboring classes, celebrated on the first Monday in September to provide a break between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving

. Labor Day became a state holiday in Oregon in 1887 and was recognized by nearly 30 states by the end of the 1880s. The push for a national holiday was galvanized by the violent Pullman Strike of 1894, a nationwide railroad strike that resulted in deaths and widespread disruption. In an effort to reconcile with the labor movement after this conflict, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation on June 28, 1894, making Labor Day a federal holiday

. Today, Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September and is marked by parades, picnics, speeches, and various festivities that honor the achievements and contributions of American workers, while also symbolizing the unofficial end of summer