<P> In 1887 Oregon became the first state of the United States to make Labor Day an official public holiday . By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty U.S. states officially celebrated Labor Day . All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories have subsequently made Labor Day a statutory holiday . </P> <P> The date of May 1 (an ancient European folk holiday known as May Day) emerged in 1886 as an alternative holiday for the celebration of labor, later becoming known as International Workers' Day . The date had its origins at the 1885 convention of the American Federation of Labor, which passed a resolution calling for adoption of the eight - hour day effective May 1, 1886 . While negotiation was envisioned for achievement of the shortened work day, use of the strike to enforce this demand was recognized, with May 1 advocated as a date for coordinated strike action . The proximity of the date to the bloody Haymarket affair of May 4, 1886, further accentuated May First's radical reputation . </P> <P> There was disagreement among labor unions at this time about when a holiday celebrating workers should be, with some advocating for continued emphasis of the September march - and - picnic date while others sought the designation of the more politically - charged date of May 1 . Conservative Democratic President Grover Cleveland was one of those concerned that a labor holiday on May 1 would tend to become a commemoration of the Haymarket Affair and would strengthen socialist and anarchist movements that backed the May 1 commemoration around the globe . In 1887, he publicly supported the September Labor Day holiday as a less inflammatory alternative . The date was formally adopted as a United States federal holiday in 1894 . </P> <P> Labor Day is called the "unofficial end of summer" because it marks the end of the cultural summer season . Many take their two - week vacations during the two weeks ending Labor Day weekend . Many fall activities, such as school and sports begin about this time . </P>

When did labor day became a federal holiday