Discover the Meaning Behind Labor Day: More Than Just a 3-Day Weekend

Labor Day means a three-day weekend, right? Well . . . there's a little more to this holiday than BBQs, sales, and squeezing in one last summer adventure!

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, is a chance to recognize the workers who helped shape our country -- and the people who fought for better wages, safer workplaces, and fairer working conditions. We've gathered kid-friendly videos, fascinating facts, stories, and resources to help your family discover the history behind the holiday and the people who made a difference.

So before you fire up the grill or head out for one last summer family adventure, take a few minutes to learn why we celebrate Labor Day in the first place. You might be surprised by what you discover!

Note for Parents: Some of these resources may not be appropriate for all ages. We recommend reviewing them first to decide if they’re a good fit for your family.

All About the Labor Day Holiday

What are We Celebrating?

Labor Day is a moment to reflect on and recognize the tireless efforts and sacrifices of workers who have helped shape our nation's prosperity and advancement. Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September in both the United States and Canada. Many people have the day off from work, giving families a three-day weekend to enjoy.

The History of Labor Day

Labor Day traces its origins to 1882, a period marked by grueling workdays, hazardous conditions, and scant wages for countless Americans. Workers faced long hours, dangerous workplaces, low pay, and few protections. In response, workers began organizing into unions -- groups that advocated for better wages, safer working conditions, shorter hours, and greater protections for workers.

More than a decade later, in 1894, Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday, officially recognizing the contributions of American workers.

Read more:  How a Deadly Railroad Strike Led to the Labor Day Holiday

Macaroni Note: Holidays like Labor Day are a chance to teach our kids about history and its significance. If you have family members or ancestors who worked in factories, farms, mines, mills, railroads, or other difficult or dangerous jobs, this can be a wonderful opportunity to make the lesson personal. Share their stories, talk about where they came from, and help your kids understand what work and daily life were like for earlier generations.

For example, my own family has connections to this history. My great-grandfather walked around town selling newspapers when he was just a little boy. And my great-great-grandfather briefly worked in a Paris green factory. Family lore says the pay was good, but after one day, the working conditions were more than he could tolerate.

Some of the linked articles and videos cover serious topics that may not be suitable for all ages, so please review them first and decide what’s right for your family.

Help Kids Learn All About Labor Day

There are many ways for your kids to learn about the people who do the jobs that keep this country going. Everyone has a role to play, big and small.

• Take your kids to work: If you're able to bring them with you, it's a great opportunity for them to see you and your co-workers in action.
• Give kids some "work to do" around the house: Even little ones can tackle simple tasks. Let them feel proud by taking on some additional responsibilities.
• Read books: Head to the library and ask for help finding age-appropriate books about the history of the labor movement or different kinds of jobs.
• U.S. Dept. of Labor: History of Labor Day
• Billboard Labor Day Playlist: 20 Songs About Working for the Man
  • Please note:  This is more for the grown-ups to enjoy, as many of these songs are not appropriate for kids.

People Who Made a Difference for Workers

Throughout our nation's history, people have worked to make things better for others -- from workers and organizers to company owners and lawmakers. Explore their stories with your kids, and if you want to learn more, head to your local library or let your fingers do the tapping and look online.

• Larry Itliong
• U.S. Depart. of Labor - Hall of Honor Inductees
• The Chinese Railroad Workers from 1865 - 1869
• Mary Harris "Mother" Jones: 1830?-1930
• Milton Hershey: 1857-1945
• William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson and William A. Davidson of the Harley-Davidson Company
• Helen Adams Keller: 1880-1968
• Henry J. Kaiser: 1882-1967
• The Workers of the Memphis Sanitation Strike - 1968
• The Pioneers of the Farm Worker Movement: César Chávez: 1927-1993
• Dolores Huerta
• Edward "Ted" M. Kennedy: 1932-2009
• The Rescue Workers of September 11, 2001

Macaroni Tip: This is just a short list to get you started. Talk to your kids, start a conversation, and let them lead you to the next learning adventure.

This is a great show to watch with older kids or use for a homeschool lesson. It's all about Labor Day and the kinds of work people used to do and the machines they used. I found it very fascinating. It might be a bit long for younger kids, but you could watch it together and break it into smaller parts.

This is just the beginning of the story of the labor movement in America. If your kids are curious to learn more, these resources offer a deeper look at the people, events, and movements that shaped workers’ rights.

Feeling inspired to go beyond and explore related topics?

• Industrial Revolution
• More about the Industrial Revolution
• Child Labor
• Pullman Porters
• Labor Movement
• Socialism
• Labor History Timeline: 1607 - 1999

Workers Take a Stand:

Change doesn't always come easily. Throughout labor history, workers have organized, gone on strike, and challenged employers and laws when they believed change was needed. Some of these battles were peaceful, while others became violent, and people risked their jobs, their freedom, their safety, and even their lives. Explore some of these important moments and talk with your kids about what happened, why people took a stand, and how these events helped shape the world of work today.

• The Strike That Shook America - The 1912 Bread and Roses Strike
• The Real Bread and Roses Strike Story Missing from Textbooks
• Homestead Strike: July 1892 marks one of the deadliest labor-management conflicts in our nation’s history involving Iron and Steel workers.
• Uprising of 20,000 in 1909:  Yiddish-speaking immigrants, mostly young women in their teens and early twenties, launched an eleven-week general strike in New York’s shirtwaist industry.
• The 1936 Sit-Down Strike That Brought a Powerful Automaker to its Knees
• How Cesar Chavez Joined Larry Itliong to Demand Farm Workers’ Rights
• 5 Latino-Led Labor Strikes That Championed Rights for American Workers
• 10 Major Labor Strikes Throughout US History

Happy Labor Day!