Today we celebrate Labor Day, a national tribute that recognizes the social and economic achievements of American workers, who have contributed to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first government recognition came through some municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to actually become law was passed by Oregon on 21 February 1887. During 1887 four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on 28 June 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.