What You Need to Know About Labor Day 2025

• Origins of Labor Day in the United States
• Labor Day marks the end of summer in the U.S.
• Differences between Labor Day and International Workers’ Day

A Holiday Different From May 1

On September 1, 2025, the United States will celebrate Labor Day, a federal holiday that—unlike International Workers’ Day observed in most countries on May 1—has a meaning tied more to daily life and the school calendar than to labor struggles.

Although the date translates literally as “Día del Trabajo,” in the U.S. it is associated mainly with the end of summer, the closing of public pools, the return of students to school, and the restart of work routines after summer vacation.

The autumn equinox officially marks the change of season on September 22.

But in practice, for millions of Americans, Labor Day symbolizes the return to normal life.

Historical Origins of Labor Day in the United States

Labor Day has roots in the American labor movement of the late 19th century, when workers staged strikes and rallies to demand better working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.

The first parade was held on September 5, 1882, in New York, organized by local union leaders.

More than a decade later, in 1894, Congress officially declared Labor Day a federal holiday, in the midst of growing labor tensions and worker protests.

By then, around 30 states were already celebrating the date. Over time, it became a day of rest with parades, family picnics, and community events that—beyond remembering union achievements—came to mark a seasonal transition.

The Difference With International Workers’ Day

Unlike Labor Day, May 1 is an international day of labor struggle.

The date was instituted by the Socialist Workers’ Congress of the Second International in 1889 in honor of the Haymarket Martyrs, anarchist unionists executed after participating in the 1886 strikes for the eight-hour workday.

Today, International Workers’ Day is officially celebrated in 80 countries and stands as a symbol of labor rights and worker demands.

This is highlighted by Dallas News.

A Date With Different Meanings

In contrast, in the United States, Labor Day has shed much of its political and union focus, becoming instead a day of rest marked by major parades in cities like New York and by sports events—especially the start of the football season.

In 2025, beyond its historical roots, Labor Day will once again serve as a bridge between summer leisure and the school and work routine.

A date that reflects how the very concept of labor can take on vastly different meanings depending on cultural and historical context.

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