Grills might work hard today, but American workers celebrate a paid day off in September because a group of New York City organizers thought it was needed in 1882.

According to the United States Department of Labor, the day off was described as "a workingmen's holiday."

The extra day off gained popularity between 1882 and 1894. More than 20 states had declared the holiday, so the US Congress made Labor Day nationwide by passing a law June 28, 1894.