Many U.S. citizens have a long weekend over the next few days, as they celebrate the annual Labor Day holiday on Monday.
The United States celebrates Labor Day, a day of rest for working people, on the first Monday in September, but the holiday is comparable to the May 1 workers' celebrations common in some other parts of the world. Federal agencies and many private businesses are closed.
The U.S. Department of Labor says the holiday is meant to pay tribute to the contribution that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and wellbeing of our country.
Americans have celebrated Labor Day since the 1880s with parades, picnics, travel, and other leisure activities. It is traditionally seen as the end to the summer season, often coinciding with cooler weather and students' return to school.
Some people see Labor Day weekend as the time to change their wardrobes from summer to fall clothing. An older fashion tradition dictates that one should not wear white apparel after Labor Day, until the following summer.
