LABOR DAY VOCABULARY (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States and Canada. This exercise covers the vocabulary for Labor Day and the labour movement that inspired it.

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1. Labor Day (spelled "Labour Day" in Canada) is a North American holiday that takes (place/location) on the first Monday in September.

2. This holiday was created back in 1882 to (honor/cherish) working individuals and provide them with a day off.

3. These days, the holiday is regarded as the (symbol/symbolic) end of Summer.

4. It is a low- (key/action) holiday - there aren't too many events or activities associated with it. For most people, it is (simple/simply) a day of rest.

5. Like other holidays such as Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July, this holiday is all about (recreation/creation) - getting together with friends and family for barbecues, picnics, etc.

6. In many other parts of the world, including the UK, this holiday is (celebration/celebrated) on May 1st.

7. A well-known (and humorous) fashion (custom/customer) was that one shouldn't wear white (shoes/clothes) after Labor Day. These days, few people (advertise/adhere) to this.

8. One famous American Labor Day tradition is the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, a TV (fundmaker/fundraiser) which has been raising money for needy children since 1966.

Labor Day Conversation Questions 1. Do workers in your country have strong rights and protections? Give some examples.
2. What do you think is the most important workers’ right? Why?
3. Have working conditions in your country improved significantly in recent decades? How?
4. Do you think trade unions are still important today? Why or why not?
5. What do you think the future of work looks like — more automation, remote work, shorter hours?
6. How do you personally like to spend a day off or public holiday?

Did you know? Labor Day in the U.S. and Canada originated from the labour movement of the late 19th century, which fought for the rights of workers — including the eight-hour work day, safer conditions, and fair wages. The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union.

Most of the world celebrates International Workers’ Day (also called May Day) on May 1st, while the U.S. and Canada mark their own Labor Day in September. The reason for the difference: U.S. President Grover Cleveland feared that a May 1st holiday would be associated with socialist and communist movements, so he supported the September date instead.