Labor Day 2024: When is it and why do we celebrate?

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and families want to fit in one more weekend of fun before the school routine and cooler temperatures officially settle in. 

With extra time off from work and school, Labor Day also represents a time when most families find themselves able to travel, giving way to those long lines and high costs.

Here’s what to know about the federal holiday, and some tips for celebrating: 

What is Labor Day?

In short, Labor Day is the federal holiday that celebrates the American worker. 

This year is the 130th anniversary of the holiday, which dates back to the late 19th century when activists first sought to establish a day to pay tribute to workers.

The first Labor Day celebration in the U.S. took place in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers marched in a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.

Workers were seeing their quality of life decline as they transitioned from artisan to factory jobs, even as the quality of life of factory owners was "just skyrocketing," Todd Vachon, an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, told The Associated Press.

Unions in the U.S. at that time were largely contested and courts would often rule strikes illegal, leading to violent disputes. It wasn’t until the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 that private sector employees were granted the right to join unions.

When is Labor Day? 

Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday of September. 

This year, it falls on Sept. 2, 2024. 

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Labor Day ideas

Labor Day has a reputation for being a day of "rest" for workers, but it also marks the unofficial end of summer. Friends and families typically squeeze in staple summer activities on the holiday. 

Popular Labor Day plans include: 

• Barbecuing 
• Hanging out by a pool 
• Going to a beach
• Going to a theme park
• Parades
• Festivals 
• Traveling somewhere for the long weekend 
• Shopping the sales

Labor Day sales

Many retailers offer Labor Day sales, which have begun to pop up in stores and online already. 

If you’re in the market for any big-ticket home items, Labor Day might be the time to buy. 

"Long holiday weekends like Labor Day represent a good time to buy big-ticket items like mattresses and furniture. ... Retailers selling these items are looking to maximize sales and know shoppers are more likely to browse and buy if there's a deal available," shopping expert Andrea Woroch told Yahoo Life. 

Outdoor items usually see big discounts as well as stores need to move seasonal inventory. 

Labor Day travel

Those who travel over Labor Day weekend should expect a lot of company. 

Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are all expected to be packed for the long holiday weekend. 

Here are some tips for those traveling this weekend: 

When is the best time to leave?

If you plan to start your drive on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, you will be sharing the road with commuters. You might want to leave before morning rush hour or even in the evening to avoid jams.

Transportation-data provider INRIX says the worst time to travel by car on Thursday will be between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on Friday between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. That flips on Saturday, when you'll want to avoid driving between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

For the return trip, pretty much all day Monday — from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — will be a slog, according to INRIX.

When are airports busiest?

The Transportation Security Administration anticipates screening more than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday — a record for the Labor Day period.

The TSA anticipates Friday being the busiest day, according to The Associated Press.