<P> Beginning in the late 19th century , as the trade union and labor movements grew , trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor . `` Labor Day '' was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor , which organized the first parade in New York City . In 1887 , Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday . By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894 , thirty U.S. states officially celebrated Labor Day . </P>
<P> Beginning in the late 19th century , as the trade union and labor movements grew , trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor . `` Labor Day '' was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor , which organized the first parade in New York City . In 1887 , Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday . By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894 , thirty U.S. states officially celebrated Labor Day . </P>
when did trade unions propose a national holiday
when did trade unions propose a national holiday
late 19th century
late 19th century