Labor Day is a U.S. federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The tradition and celebration began as a way to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers. As such, it’s a day recognizing what workers in the US have done to ensure the country’s well-being and prosperity. It also unofficially marks the end of the summer for many Americans. The day originated after workers moved together to get better working conditions. While things have changed for the better, a lot of work still needs to be done to ensure worker equality, ensuring this day remains relevant today in the continued fight for workers’ rights.
Labor Day and Its Broader Context
The day originated in the 19th century and was the tail end of the Industrial Revolution. Poor working conditions were rife, but the arrival of labor unions helped workers in their push for fair wages and safe working environments. Matthew Maguire, the Secretary of the Central Labor Union (CLU), is credited with first proposing that this should be made a national holiday. This was following a very successful public demonstration of different labor organizations, which was held on September 5. The parade took place in New York in 1882 and is widely considered the beginning of it all.
By 1894, the day had become a national holiday with the date centered around the day of the original celebration. Of course, this means that Labor Day shifts each year, so in 2025, it falls on September 1st.
Modern Significance and Traditions
These days, it’s still a huge holiday packed with various celebrations. Americans celebrate the day in different ways. For some, the day is packed with barbecues, parades, and travel. As it is a long weekend, many Americans take the opportunity to go travelling. Many enjoy short beach getaways or head to the mountains or lakes. Others choose to stay at home, inviting family and friends over for outdoor cookouts, picnics, and barbecues.
This is often in an attempt to enjoy the last of the warm weather before fall sets in. As such, it’s a great day for many to relax, enjoy recreational activities, watch the parades, enjoy fireworks, and so on. Those not in the US, many have also heard that the day after Labor Day means no white. However, while this has its roots in class distinctions from the late 19th century, it’s long been seen as an outdated rule and is not followed.
For some areas, Labor Day not only marks the end of summer, but the beginning of the fall sports season for college and professional leagues, such as the NFL season kickoff. It’s also right in time for many children to be thinking about heading back to school, which can often mean the last moment of celebration before it’s back to work and the classroom.
Labor Day and Shopping Trends
As with many major holidays, Labor Day is typically linked to some pretty big sales. Over the years, the day has evolved into one of the most anticipated shopping weekends in the US. Just like Black Friday, Labor Day weekend is renowned for a huge number of sales, which makes the weekend even more exciting. There are many different brands, stores, and product categories where you can find an array of discounts to enjoy. Typically, discounts can be found for furniture, mattresses, kitchen appliances, electronics, clothing, shoes, grills, books, and even LEGO sets. Many retailers actually use this weekend to clear out their summer inventory and prepare for fall and back-to-school shoppers.
As part of this move, stores often have major promo codes and digital coupons available. These are great tools to use when it comes to maximizing savings during Labor Day. However, searching for such codes can be time-consuming. Luckily, there are specialized platforms like Discoup where the codes are carefully located, verified, and collated on the site in a single place. The codes are all up-to-date and come from major retailers in the US. They can help you make informed purchasing decisions from many of your favorite brands and categories, all without overspending. With this in mind, making smart shopping decisions can really be beneficial to your budget and plans.
Labor Day has become synonymous with deals and discounts. However, it’s still important to remember that it’s a day about workers’ rights and to appreciate the labor movement’s achievements in this area. Approach this holiday with this awareness, and while relaxing with friends and family, make thoughtful purchases.
