The History of Labor Day — Plus 2026 Savings for First Responders & Essential Workers
Labor Day has become synonymous with cookouts, the unofficial end of summer and some of the biggest retail sales of the year.
But that isn't why the holiday exists…
At its core, Labor Day is a celebration of American workers—the people whose labor helped build the country's economy, infrastructure and communities.
That makes Labor Day particularly meaningful for many of the people who continue working while the rest of the country enjoys a three-day weekend: firefighters, EMTs, police officers, nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, government employees, military personnel and other essential workers.
And while there aren't nearly as many legitimate Labor-Day-specific first-responder promotions as the internet might suggest, there are several valuable national discounts available to these groups during Labor Day weekend and throughout the year.
Here is how Labor Day began—and some savings worth knowing about in 2026.
Labor Day Started as a Workers' Movement
The first Labor Day celebration took place on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.
The Central Labor Union organized a parade of workers through Manhattan followed by a festival for workers and their families. The concept was intended to publicly recognize both the economic contribution of working Americans and the growing strength of organized labor.
The U.S. Department of Labor notes that there is still debate over who first proposed the holiday.
One account credits Peter J. McGuire, a leader of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and later co-founder of the American Federation of Labor.
Other historical evidence points to Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of New York's Central Labor Union, as the person who proposed the holiday in 1882.
Either way, the idea spread quickly.
Read the official U.S. Department of Labor history of Labor Day
Oregon Made Labor Day Official First
Labor Day didn't immediately become a national holiday.
Cities and labor organizations initially recognized it independently. Then states began adopting it.
Oregon became the first state to legally recognize Labor Day on February 21, 1887.
Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York followed later that year.
By 1894, numerous states had adopted Labor Day celebrations of their own.
Then, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making the first Monday in September a federal legal holiday.
That established the Labor Day tradition Americans still observe today.
Learn more from the Department of Labor
What Does Labor Day Have to Do With Essential Workers?
Labor Day doesn't legally distinguish between different types of workers.
It celebrates all American labor.
But the holiday takes on a special meaning when you consider the occupations that frequently don't stop for holidays.
Firefighters still respond to calls.
EMTs and paramedics still staff ambulances.
Police officers still patrol communities.
Nurses, doctors and hospital employees still care for patients.
Utility crews keep power and water systems operating.
Teachers and school employees prepare for another academic year.
Public employees continue operating essential government services.
And members of the military continue serving regardless of whether the calendar says it's a holiday.
Those workers are a modern reminder of what Labor Day was originally intended to recognize: the contribution working people make to American life.
Fortunately, some national companies offer special savings to these groups.
Labor Day 2026 Savings for First Responders & Essential Workers
1. Adidas: 30% off for first responders, healthcare workers, teachers and more
Adidas currently offers a 30% discount to several verified groups, including:
Active and retired first responders
Police officers
Firefighters
EMTs and 911 dispatchers
Nurses
Doctors and other medical providers
Hospital employees
Teachers and school employees
Military members
Seniors age 65+
Eligibility is verified through ID.me.
That makes the Adidas program one of the broader national service-worker discounts available.
Check the Adidas service discount
Alternative-Savings Tip
Always compare the verified discount against the retailer's current Labor Day sale price. Some products or promotions may be excluded or may not allow multiple discounts to stack.
2. Under Armour: 20% off for first responders, healthcare workers and teachers
Under Armour offers 20% off qualifying purchases for:
Police officers
Firefighters
EMTs
Nurses
Doctors
Healthcare workers
Teachers and educators
Active-duty military
Veterans
Military spouses and qualifying family members
Verification is handled through ID.me.
The discount is available through Under Armour's website, app and participating Brand House stores. Factory House discounts can differ.
Verify for Under Armour's service discount
Under Armour is also running Labor Day markdowns on select merchandise through September 7, 2026.
One important catch: Under Armour states that its standard service discount generally cannot be combined with other promotional codes or sitewide promotions, so compare both prices and use whichever saves more.
3. Verizon: first responders, teachers and nurses can save up to $25 per month
Verizon's Those Who Serve savings program gives eligible:
First responders
Teachers
Nurses
Military members and veterans
discounted wireless pricing.
Verizon currently advertises savings of up to $25 per month with two or three qualifying lines, depending on the account and plan.
That's potentially $300 per year in recurring savings.
See Verizon's service-member and essential-worker discounts
Verizon Fios Savings
Eligible military members, first responders, teachers and nurses can also qualify for discounts on Verizon Fios Home Internet where Fios service is available.
Verizon currently advertises Fios 1 Gig for $60 per month with Auto Pay and select qualifying 5G mobile plans for these groups.
Check Verizon Fios service discounts
4. AT&T: 25% off qualifying wireless plans for teachers, nurses and military families
AT&T's Appreciation program provides eligible:
Teachers
Nurses
Military members
Veterans
Qualifying family members
with 25% off eligible unlimited wireless plans.
AT&T has advertised qualifying four-line plans starting at less than $27 per line per month after the appreciation discount, although plan pricing and eligibility should always be verified before switching carriers.
Check AT&T discount eligibility
What About First Responders?
AT&T operates FirstNet, a wireless network specifically designed for public-safety personnel.
Eligible first responders should compare FirstNet plans and benefits against AT&T's standard consumer wireless service rather than assuming the regular consumer plan is the best option.
5. Target: teachers get 20% off one purchase through September 12
Target's 2026 Teacher Appreciation program lines up particularly well with Labor Day and back-to-school shopping.
Verified teachers who belong to the free Target Circle program can receive 20% off one qualifying storewide purchase through September 12, 2026.
That means the discount is still active throughout Labor Day weekend.
Verify your teacher status with Target Circle
Why This One Is Worth Planning
A one-time 20% discount can be much more valuable when used strategically.
Instead of using it on a $25 purchase and saving $5, consider combining planned classroom supplies, clothing, household necessities or other eligible purchases into one larger transaction.
Exclusions apply, so check the offer before shopping.
6. Samsung: special pricing for first responders, healthcare employees, teachers and government workers
Samsung operates several verified Offer Programs covering:
First responders
Healthcare employees
Nurses and paramedics
Police officers
Teachers and educators
Government employees
Military personnel
Students
Employees of participating companies
Samsung uses services including ID.me to confirm eligibility.
The discount amount can vary by product and promotion, making it particularly important to compare your verified Offer Program price against Samsung's public Labor Day pricing.
Check Samsung Offer Program eligibility
Don't Forget ID.me
Many companies no longer require first responders or essential workers to bring identification into a store.
Instead, brands increasingly use ID.me to verify eligibility online.
ID.me currently supports verified group discounts for communities including:
First responders
Military members and veterans
Teachers
Healthcare providers
Government employees
Students
First responders can include eligible active and retired police officers, firefighters and EMT personnel depending on the individual merchant's program.
Browse current first-responder discounts through ID.me
If you qualify for one of these groups, it is worth checking ID.me before making a major Labor Day purchase.
There may be a service discount available that isn't prominently advertised on the retailer's normal sale page.
Can You Stack an Essential-Worker Discount With a Labor Day Sale?
Sometimes.
And this is where the biggest savings can potentially happen.
A retailer might have:
Labor Day Sale Price
+
Verified First Responder / Teacher / Healthcare Discount
+
Cash Back or Credit Card Rewards
But retailers establish their own rules.
Some verified discounts do stack with sale prices.
Others specifically exclude sale merchandise, promotional codes or sitewide events.
For example, Under Armour currently states that its standard 20% service discount generally cannot be combined with promotional codes or sitewide promotions.
The best approach is simple:
Always compare the final checkout price.
Don't assume the first-responder discount is automatically better—or that the Labor Day coupon is.
Who Counts as a First Responder?
Eligibility differs by company, but verified first-responder discount programs commonly include:
Police officers
Firefighters
EMTs
Paramedics
911 dispatchers
Certain federal law-enforcement personnel
Retired first responders under some programs
Healthcare workers, teachers, government employees and military members are often offered separate verification categories.
ID.me, for example, allows eligible active and retired first responders to verify their status for participating merchant discounts.
Learn how ID.me verifies first responders
Labor Day Is About More Than the Sales
There's nothing wrong with shopping a Labor Day sale.
Saving hundreds of dollars on an appliance, mattress, phone plan or household purchase can make a real difference.
But Labor Day wasn't created because retailers needed another three-day weekend promotion.
It was created because American workers spent decades fighting for recognition of the role labor plays in the country's success.
The first Labor Day parade happened 144 years ago, on September 5, 1882.
Those workers marched through New York City because they wanted their contribution to American life to be seen.
Today, millions of Americans celebrate Labor Day without going to work.
Millions of others don't have that option.
Firefighters, EMTs, police officers, nurses, doctors, utility employees, transportation workers, military personnel and countless other workers will still be on the job.
So this Labor Day, take advantage of the savings if you qualify.
But also remember why the holiday exists in the first place.
It isn't really a celebration of having Monday off.
It's a celebration of the people who work.
Quick List: Essential-Worker Savings to Check This Labor Day
Adidas: 30% off for qualifying first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, military members and other verified groups.
Under Armour: 20% off for qualifying first responders, healthcare workers, teachers and military members.
Check Under Armour eligibility
Verizon: Eligible first responders, nurses, teachers and military members can save up to $25/month on qualifying wireless accounts.
AT&T: Eligible teachers, nurses, military members and veterans can receive 25% off qualifying unlimited plans.
Target: Verified teachers can receive 20% off one qualifying purchase through September 12, 2026.
Samsung: First responders, healthcare employees, educators, government employees and military personnel can access verified Offer Program pricing.
ID.me: Browse discounts from participating brands after verifying first-responder, healthcare, teacher, military or government status.
Offers and eligibility requirements can change. Verify current pricing, participating locations, employment/service requirements and stacking restrictions directly with each company before purchasing.
