Labor Day Is a Full-Staff Flag Holiday
Labor Day is a full-staff flag holiday. Unless a current half-staff order is in effect, fly the American flag at the top of the staff from sunrise to sunset.
The holiday recognizes American workers and their contributions to the country. If you keep the flag flying after dark, illuminate it properly.
| When | How | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. | Fly the flag at the top of the staff, from sunrise to sunset. | The holiday recognizes American workers' social and economic contributions. |
Before It Was a Holiday, It Was a Workers' Parade
Labor Day began as a workers' parade in New York City, more than a decade before it became a federal holiday.
On Tuesday, September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union organized a parade through lower Manhattan. Workers from different trades marched together in support of organized labor. After the march, participants and their families gathered for speeches, food, music, and recreation.
Attendance started slowly, then grew as more workers joined the march. The celebration centered on recognizing the people whose work built and maintained the country around them.
Labor Day Became Federal in 1894
States began recognizing Labor Day soon after the first parade. Oregon became the first state to pass a Labor Day law in 1887. By 1894, the observance had already spread widely, and President Grover Cleveland signed the law establishing the first Monday in September as a national legal holiday.
By the time Labor Day became a federal holiday, the observance had grown from a New York workers' parade into a national day recognizing American labor.
Check Your Flag Before Fall
Labor Day weekend is a useful time to inspect a flag that has been outdoors through the summer. Before fall weather arrives, take five minutes to check the fabric and hardware.
Look for color that has noticeably faded, fraying at the fly end, torn stitching, or wear around the header and grommets. Then raise and lower the flag once to make sure the rope, pulley, cleat, and clips are still working as they should.
A single loose thread does not automatically mean replacement. Check the flag's overall condition and watch for wear that is starting to spread.
Read the fading and fraying guide
Learn how to retire an American flag with dignity
Shop American flags for fall display · Shop flagpole hardware
Keep the Flag Calendar Close
Several major flag observances follow Labor Day. Check for current half-staff orders before each one, since a presidential or gubernatorial proclamation takes precedence over the standard holiday guidance.
- Patriot Day, September 11th: Display at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. This is one of the few days with a standing statutory half-staff requirement.
- Veterans Day, November 11: Display at full staff unless a current half-staff order applies.
- Thanksgiving, fourth Thursday in November: Display at full staff unless a current federal or state order applies.
Sources: 4 U.S.C. § 6, U.S. Flag Code; U.S. Department of Labor, "History of Labor Day"; USAGov flag guidance.