Labor Day: History, What’s Open, What’s Closed?

For many, Labor Day is the last official day of the summer.

Those kids who haven't started up at school thus far will be doing so likely after today. After labor day, the American football season kicks into high gear while baseball, the sport of the summer, begins to wind down.

Labor Day, which always occurs on the first Monday in September, came about because of the labor movement. The holiday is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Many say the holiday was founded by a guy named Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor. According to various reports, McGuire first suggested the holiday in September of 1882.

Although, other reports say Matthew Maguire, a machinist from Paterson, N.J. and later secretary of the International Association of Machinists, was the first to suggest it. According to those people, in the same year 1882, Maguire recommended it as secretary of the Central Labor Union.

The holiday was first recognized that year in New York City. It was recognized by the government a few years later in 1885. Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day as a holiday in 1887 and Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York followed shortly thereafter.

By 1894, 30 states in total celebrated Labor Day and the government made it a federal holiday. Like Memorial Day in May, Labor Day is usually celebrated with parades and barbeques.

Here's a list of what's open and what's closed on Labor Day.

Banks: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Municipal, state, federal offices: Closed.

Libraries: Closed.

Public Transportation: Depends on the city. NYC runs on a Sunday schedule.

Convenient, Retail, Liquor Stores, Supermarkets: Open

Restaurants, Bars: Open

Stock Market: Closed

Schools: Closed