First U.S. Labor Day Parade
On September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day parade in the United States was held in New York City. A little over a decade later, Labor Day became a Federal holiday.
Holidays
Father’s Day
On June 19, 1910, one of the first Father’s Day celebrations was held at the YMCA in Spokane, Washington. It would be another 62 years before it was made a permanent national holiday.
The First Memorial Day
On May 30, 1868, the first Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, was held in the United States. It’s grown to become a federal holiday dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers.
Special Occasions Stamps
On April 20, 1987, the USPS issued the set of eight Special Occasions stamps, the first “special” stamp booklet.
The International Day of Happiness
On March 20, 2013, the United Nations observed the first International Day of Happiness. The day was created through a unanimous UN resolution, recognizing that happiness and well-being are as important to a successful society as economic goals.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
For centuries, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated on March 17, the date generally considered to be the day St. Patrick died in the year 461. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations date back to the 9th or 10th century, but the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in North America in the 1600s!
Peace Officers Memorial Day
On May 15, 1963, the US observed its first Peace Officers Memorial Day. It’s a day that pays tribute to America’s local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty.
First Native American Day
One of the first recorded celebrations of Native American Day was held on May 13, 1916, in New York. Other states adopted similar days later in the year before the first national celebrations were held in 1976. Today Native American Heritage Day is held in November, which is also American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
First Observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On January 20, 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a federal holiday after a decades-long battle.