May 1st is internationally recognized as Labor Day, but in the United States the celebration takes place on the first Monday of September, four months after the date celebrated in the rest of the world. This time difference has historical roots that date back to the late 19th century.
The first celebration of Labor Day in the United States took place in September 1882, specifically on the 5th day of that month. On that occasion, New York workers gathered in a parade, marched with banners and musical instruments, with the goal of demonstrating the strength and prosperity of the working class.
However, the expansion of the celebration around the world originated from the protests held in Chicago. On May 1, 1886, workers from that American city took to the streets alongside the American Federation of Labor, initiating a wave of mobilizations that spread internationally and established the date of May 1st as the global reference for celebrating workers' rights.
