Labor Day -

While its origins were focused on parades and political speeches to demonstrate the strength of trade unions, modern celebrations are more social.

May Day was chosen to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a labor protest turned violent. Labor Day

The holiday emerged during the Industrial Revolution, when workers faced harsh conditions, such as 12-hour workdays and 7-day workweeks. While its origins were focused on parades and

: Credit for the idea is often split between two men with similar names: Peter J. McGuire , a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire , a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union. How It is Celebrated : Credit for the idea is often split

: It marks the transition from summer to fall, often being the last major travel weekend before school resumes.