Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and most folks have the day off.
But, what exactly is Labor Day and why do we celebrate?
The federal holiday’s origin starts back during the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800s. During that time, the average worker was logging 12 hour days. And as manufacturing became more popular, workers began organizing for better pay and working conditions.
It came to a head as workers for the Pullman Company in Chicago went on strike in 1894, resulting in deadly riots.
In the wake of massive unrest, President Grover Cleveland and Congress passed a law creating federal holiday to honor the American worker—which is now celebrated on the first Monday of every September.