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What’s open on Labor Day? Most retailers. Closed? Government, banks and the stock market.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The origins of Labor Day date back to the late 19th century, when activists first sought to establish a day that would pay tribute to workers. The first U.S. Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on Sept. 5,…

Labor Day, a day to honor workers, has its roots in the late 19th century when activists sought to create a day dedicated to recognizing the contributions of laborers. The inaugural U.S. Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on September 5, 1882, with a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, drawing around 10,000 workers.

Over the following decade, various cities and states adopted laws honoring Labor Day, leading President Grover Cleveland to sign a congressional act in 1894 designating the first Monday of September as the official legal holiday.

While many workers enjoy the day off, the majority of big businesses remain open and often promote sales to attract customers. Government offices, post offices, courts, and schools are closed, while U.S. stock markets and banks are also shut down. Standard FedEx and UPS delivery services will not operate on Labor Day, though some critical services may be available at select locations.

The majority of national retailers and grocery stores are open, with many offering special promotions to draw in shoppers, although hours may vary by location.

Travel plans are also affected by the holiday. With many schools back in session and fuel prices driven up by tensions in Iran, millions of Americans are expected to travel during the Labor Day weekend. However, the cost of travel is higher this year, with flight prices to popular domestic destinations up nearly 20% compared to last year. Hotel prices have also increased, and the average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gas is now just under $4.10, marking a 90-cent rise from the same period last year.

Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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