Today, the first Monday of every year marks Labor Day, one of eleven federal holidays recognized by the United States.

Why does the US recognize Labor Day?

According to USA TODAY, Labor Day is celebrated to recognize the achievements of the American labor movement in the late 19th century, when American workers began forming unions and advocating for better working conditions, reasonable hours and fair wages.

The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by the Central Labor Union. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, followed by four more states that year — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.