this is going to blow your mind the real reason we celebrate Labor Day goes Way Beyond a day off work and some BBQ back in the late 1800s American workers including kids toiled in brutal conditions fed up with long hours and low pay thousands marched in New York City on September 5th 1882 for the first Labor Day Parade these brave souls risk their jobs to demand an 8-hour workday and safer conditions their courage sparked a movement states began recognizing Labor day but it took the Pullman Strike in 1894 to really shake things up rail traffic was paralyzed and president Grover Cleveland eager to calm the chaos declared Labor Day a national holiday while Mayday also celebrated labor rights the Hay Market Affair in 1886 tarnished its image making Labor Day the more accepted choice so next time you