Are Doctors' Offices Open on Labor Day?

Labor Day in 2021 falls on September 6. The annual holiday is observed on the first Monday of every September.

As it is a federal holiday, many government offices are closed and some private businesses are also shut on Labor Day. This can include various stores as well as some medical facilities, such as doctors' offices.

As different practices across the country have varying hours of operation, it is best to contact your local doctor's office directly to confirm Labor Day hours before visiting.

Hospitals and other emergency services are generally open on federal holidays, including Labor Day. But smaller clinics and other specialized facilities may be closed, so individuals should contact their local office for exact hours of operation.

Most federal employees in the U.S. receive time off on designated holidays, including official federal holidays.

Services at hospitals run by the federal government (such Veteran's Administration hospitals and clinics as well as hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) may be affected on Labor Day. Contact your local hospital before visiting.

What Is Labor Day?

Labor Day celebrates the economic and social achievements of the country's workforce. It is sometimes known as the "unofficial end of summer," according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

The U.S. Department of Labor explains: "American labor has raised the nation's standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.

"It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership–the American worker," the department says.

Labor Day became a legal holiday in June 1894 but it was recognized by labor activists and individual states before then. New York was the first state to introduce a bill and the first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in the state.

Some holidays and observances in the U.S. receive presidential proclamations. President Joe Biden proclaimed September 6, 2021 as Labor Day in a White House statement on September 3.

Other U.S. Federal Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (observed on third Monday in January)
• Washington's Birthday (observed on third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (observed on last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Columbus Day (observed on second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (observed on fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)