The First Labor Day Barbecue Looked A Lot Different Than It Does Today

History

The First Labor Day Barbecue Looked A Lot Different Than It Does Today By Allison Beussink Aug. 14, 2025 3:00 pm EST

It's no secret that Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Kids go back to school (if they haven't already), families take last-minute vacations, and friends celebrate the federal holiday with a costly backyard BBQ cookout . But the Labor Day festivities we're familiar with today have evolved so much from their origin.

Imagine for a moment you're living in New York City during the 19th century. America's factories are in their prime, and laborers — including children — work around the clock in unsafe conditions to earn a couple dollars each day. This setting was the catalyst for coordinating a parade that lauded the hard work of thousands of Ame