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Here are five things you should know about Labor Day:

1.) Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.

2.) Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans  and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events.

3.) The first big Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York.

4.) Labor day became a federal holiday in 1894 and was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century.

5.) Up to now, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.

Happy Labor Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

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Tags: American Federation of Labor, Central Labor Union, Central Labor Union of New York, Five Things You Should Know About Labor Day, Happy Labor Day 2011, History of Labor Day, Labor Day, Labor Day in the USA, Peter J. McGuire, September 5 2011