Labor Day Facts and Trivia For Kids

There's more to Labor day than getting a day off of work. Peter McGuire, who is regarded as the Father of the Labor Day holiday according to Purple Trail, was Irish-American pioneer unionist and wanted Americans to have a day dedicated to all those who worked hard (or labored) throughout the year.

During a Central Labor Union on May 18,1882 he stated, "Let us have, a festive day during which a parade through the streets of the city would permit public tribute to American Industry."

The first Labor Day parade was on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, TLC reported. The first week in September was chosen by workers because it was in the middle of Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

The first Monday of every September was designated as a national holiday by a law signed by President Grover Cleveland.

The national holiday has been celebrated in the U.S. and Canada since 1894.

In European countries and China, TLC noted, workers celebrate May Day on the first day in May to celebrate workers and labor unions.

Labor unions were at their highest percentage in the 1950's when 40 percent of workers were a part of unions. Currently 14 of the American population belongs to a union.

Here's a few quick facts from Purple Trail:

 Nearly 10.3 million workers are self-employed.

Around 4.5 million people work from home.

The average commute to work is 24.3 minutes

According to reports, 20.3 million women work in educational, health and social services industries

Most of the federal laws that protect workers were passed in the 1930s.