Labor Day is the first Monday of every September but people may not know the history behind it.

According to the US Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on a Tuesday, September 5th, 1882 in New York City by the Central Labor Union. By 1894 23 more states had adopted the holiday and in 1894, President Grover Cleveland made it an official US holiday. 

Labor Day was to have a parade followed by a festival “for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.” 

In fact, the first labor day was nearly shut down by Police as over 25,000 workers came to celebrate in the streets, and the police were wary of riots and “trouble.” According to the New York Tribune, “The windows and roofs and even the lamp posts and awning frames were occupied by persons anxious to get a good view of the first parade in New York of workingmen of all trades united in one organization.” 

The Illinois Department of Transportation is giving all of its construction workers the day off for labor day and all roads should be open for travel without construction restrictions.

The Illinois State Police have also announced increased patrols and checks for DUI’s, seatbelts, and texting and driving.

From all of us at Regional Radio, be safe, and have a happy Labor Day.