WASHINGTON — The origins of Labor Day date back to the late 1800s, when activists first began seeking a day to honor workers.

The first celebration of Labor Day in the United States took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. About 10,000 workers marched in a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.

In the years that followed, a handful of cities and states began to pass laws recognizing Labor Day. Still, it took more than a decade before President Grover Cleveland signed an act of Congress in 1894 establishing the first Monday in September as an official holiday.

While many employees are off, most large consumer-facing companies are open for business and even offering promotions to lure customers.

Here’s what’s open and closed on Labor Day this year:

Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.

US stock markets and banks are closed on Monday.

Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Labor Day, although some key services will be offered in select locations.

Warehouse membership club Costco is closed on Labor Day, but the vast majority of major national retailers and supermarkets are open, with some offering promotional deals to lure customers. Hours may vary by location, so check with your local store.

Even as schools reopen and the summer travel season winds down, the Transportation Security Administration expects more than 17 million people to be screened at airports between Thursday and next Wednesday, a record for the Labor Day period.

According to AAA, domestic travel bookings for the long weekend are up 9% from last year, while international travel is down 4%.

If you’re traveling by car, you’ll get a discount on gas compared to last year. The national average was recently $3.44 a gallon, compared to $3.86 a year ago, according to AAA.

The auto club doesn’t provide a full travel forecast for Labor Day like it does for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. But AAA does offer some helpful advice for travelers:

— Leave on time. Everything takes longer than you expect.

— Keep an eye on the weather. Even if the sky is clear at home, there may be storms at your flight destination or along your route. Plan an alternative route.

— Be kind. Flight cancellations and traffic jams are frustrating, but you’re not the only one stuck or delayed.