By 
Kenneth Davis
 | 
TED-Ed Original

Why do Americans and Canadians celebrate Labor Day?

In the United States and Canada the first Monday of September is a federal holiday Labor Day. Originally celebrated in New York City's Union Square in 1882 Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest for the overworked during the Industrial Revolution. Kenneth C. Davis illustrates the history of Labor Day from Union Square to today.

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