Why Do We Celebrate Two Different Labor Days? May 1 & September 1

Learn about the origin and significance of the two Labor Days and their celebrations. Hypermarkets and supermarkets like Walmart, Costco, Target, Publix, and the Stock Exchange will be open or not?

The majority of the world celebrates Labor Day or International Workers Day on May 1st, but in the U.S. & Canada, it is marked on the first Monday of September. This story covers the historical events and political movements, explaining these two different labor days.

History of US Labour Day

The US Labor Day will be observed on the first Monday of September. A law signed by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 that celebrates the economic and social achievements of American workers. It is marked as a federal holiday in the US.

Why Not May 1?

In 1886, on 1st of May, the labor union organized a nationwide strike demanding an 8-hour workday. Though it was a peaceful gathering, on May 4th at Haymarket Square, somebody threw a bomb at the police, leading them to open fire, which injured and killed several workers and officers. Thus, the ‘Haymarket Affair’ was viewed as radical, violent, and linked to anarchists by the US politicians.

Earlier in 1882, the Central Labor Union of New York had already peacefully executed a Labor Day Parade on September 5. It also fitted well between the U.S. Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and provided workers a late summer holiday.

But the US politicians didn’t want the date to be related to any protests, strikes, communist movement, or anti-government sentiments. Therefore, to honour the workers’ struggle first Monday of September was decided as Labor Day over May 1.