Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Sept. 2, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

Monday was Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September.

On Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, the Knights of Labor union organized a parade up Fifth Avenue and a day off work. The organizers hoped for a turnout of 30,000, but only about a third of that showed up. Most people, The New York Times speculated, preferred to spend the day at Coney Island or in some other leisure pursuit.

In 1894, the United States celebrated the first federal Labor Day holiday, thanks to a designation declared by President Grover Cleveland.

Little seems to have changed through the years. Originally it was dedicated to honoring those who had helped lobby

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