Is Labor Day a federal holiday in US? Are schools closed? What to know

Labor Day honors contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday of September.

Published on: Sep 7, 2026, 13:13:18 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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In the United States, Labor Day 2026 will be observed on Monday, September 7. An annual holiday, the day honors contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday of September.

Is Labor Day a federal holiday in US? Are schools closed? What to know (Pexel - representational image)

While some holidays fall on a fixed date, Labor Day moves between September 1 and September 7 depending on the calendar.

Is Labor Day a federal holiday in the United States?

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States, and is specifically included among the legal public holidays under US federal law, which says that Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September.

Therefore, this year, federal offices will observe Labor Day on Monday, September 7.

Government offices and many banks and financial institutions are usually closed. However, private businesses can decide independently whether to remain open or closed.

Also Read | Labor Day 2026: What's open and closed on September 7? Banks, stock market, USPS, Costco and retail store hours

President Grover Cleveland signed legislation on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday of September a national legal holiday. The decision was made during a period of intense labour unrest in the United States.

The US saw widespread violence and federal intervention during the Pullman Strike of 1894, a major railroad-related labour dispute. Labor Day was established amid efforts to address tensions between workers, employers and the government.

The law established the first Monday in September as Labor Day. The arrangement continues today.

Are schools closed?

Most US public schools are closed on Labor Day. School districts typically do not hold classes because Labor Day is a federal holiday and is widely recognized as a public holiday.

However, individual school districts and states determine school calendars. Parents and students should check their local academic calendar for confirmation.

In many parts of the country, Labor Day falls near the beginning of the US school year. This makes the holiday a long weekend shortly after classes resume.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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