What to know about Labor Day and its history

From barbecues to getaways to shopping the sales, many people across the U.S. mark Labor Day — the federal holiday celebrating the American worker — by finding ways to relax.

This year is the 130th anniversary of the holiday, which is celebrated on the first Monday of September. While actions by unions in recent years to advocate for workers are a reminder of the holiday's activist roots, the three-day weekend it creates has become a touchstone in the lives of Americans marking the unofficial end of summer.