WASHINGTON (AP) — The origins of Labor Day date back to the late 19th century, when activists first sought to establish a day that would pay tribute to workers.
The first U.S. Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882. Some 10,000 workers marched in a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.
A handful of cities and states began to adopt laws recognizing Labor Day in the years that followed, yet it took more than a decade before President Grover Cleveland signed a congressional act in 1894 establishing the first Monday of September as a legal holiday.
While many workers have the day off, most big consumer-facing businesses are open and even offering promotional sales to lure customers.
Here’s what is open and closed this year on Labor Day:
Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.
U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Monday.
Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Labor Day, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.
Warehouse membership club Costco will be closed on Labor Day, but the vast majority of major national retailers and grocery stores will be open, with many offering promotional sales to lure customers. Hours may vary by location, so check your local store.
Despite the fact that many schools are back in session and travel costs have risen with higher fuel prices due to the conflict in Iran, millions of Americans will hit the roads and the skies to get away for the last big summer travel weekend.
AAA says that prices for flights to top domestic destinations are nearly 20% higher than last year and prices for hotels have also risen. The average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gas, according to the auto club, is just under $4.10, up 90 cents from the same time a year ago.
However, for those traveling by sea, AAA says that cruises departing from U.S. ports are about 4% cheaper than last year.
The auto club doesn’t provide a full travel forecast for Labor Day as it does for Memorial Day and July Fourth. But AAA does offer some useful advice for travelers.
AAA advises travelers to keep an eye on the weather and inspect your vehicle’s tires, battery, and fluid levels before a road trip. It's also a good idea to pack an emergency kit with water, snacks, a flashlight, and jumper cables, AAA says.
FILE - Travelers arrive at Miami International Airport at the start of the Labor Day weekend in Miami, Aug. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
FILE - Raven Winchell, of Seui 2015 Long Term Care Givers, raises her fist during a rally advocating for workers and protesting against President Donald Trump's administration in the Mission District in San Francisco, Calif., Sept. 1, 2025. (Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)
BERLIN (AP) — Mali pulled off the first stunner of the Women's Basketball World Cup by shocking Spain 82-73 on Saturday.
It was only the second win ever in tournament history for the African country, which beat Senegal in overtime in 2010.
Mali was down two at the half, but outscored Spain 31-19 in the third quarter to take the lead. Mali went on a 16-4 run in that period after it was down 45-44 to take command. Sika Kone, who finished with 19 points, had two 3-pointers during that game-changing run. Kone, who plays for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA, also had 10 rebounds.
Mali (1-1) scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, including another 3-pointer by Kone, to put the game away as Spain could get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
Djeneba N'Diaye also had 19 points for Mali, which is 2-10 in its World Cup history.
Iyana Martin scored 20 points for Spain (1-1), which was one of the top teams in the world.
Germany got off to a fast start and slowed down Japan in a 74-58 win.
In front of a sold-out crowd that was loud for the entire game, Germany outscored Japan 28-11 in the first quarter. Japan, which beat Mali 102-97 in its opener Friday, couldn't find any rhythm against the hosts. A day after hitting a World Cup-record 20 3-pointers, Japan was just 3-for-27 from behind the arc. Two of those makes came in the final 1:38 of the game.
“We know Japan shoots more 3s than 2s, so we took away the 3,” said German star Leonie Fiebich. “Our goal was to be physical with them.”
Frieda Buhner scored 19 points and Nyara Sabally added 18 for Germany (1-1).
Kokoro Tanaka led Japan (1-1) with 15 points.
All four teams in Group A are tied at 1-1.
Dorka Juhasz had 19 points and 16 rebounds to help Hungary edge Nigeria 71-67.
Nigeria (0-2) was down 66-52 with 3:57 left before getting within two with 3 seconds left on Elizabeth Balogun's basket. Nigeria fouled Reka Lelik with just over a second left and she calmly knocked down both free throws to seal the win.
It was Hungary's first victory since 1998 when the team topped China in the quarterfinals. Now they'll play Korea next to close out pool play.
Virag Takacs-Kiss added 17 points for Hungary (1-1). Juhasz, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx, had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.
Amy Okonkwo scored 17 points to lead Nigeria, which finishes off pool play against France.
Marine Johannes scored 14 of her 17 points in the first half as France rallied from a slow start to beat South Korea 95-69 in the final game of the day.
South Korea (1-1) got off to a hot start and led 31-24 after the first quarter. Then Johannes and France got going, scoring the first 14 points of the second quarter. Johannes had nine of those as the French (2-0) led 43-37 at the half.
France put the game away at the start of the third quarter with a 24-4 run dominated by Dominique Malonga and Gabby Williams. Malonga had 10 points and Williams nine during that spurt.
South Korea could never recover.
Malonga and Williams each finished with 14 points.
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
France's Marine Johannes shoots during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between France and Korea in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
German players react during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Germany and Japan in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Germany's Lina Sontag blocks Japan's Kokoro Tanaka during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Germany and Japan in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Mali's Sika Kone vies for the ball with Spain's Maite Cazorla, left, during the women's World Cup basketball match between Mali and Spain, in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)
