What Does Labor Day Mean to You?

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square for better conditions. President Grover Cleveland signed Labor Day into law on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday of each September a national holiday.

To many, Labor Day means honoring the people whose hard work is acknowledged. They are the early risers, late-shift workers, builders, teachers, doctors, nurses, caregivers, shopkeepers, farmers, first responders, firefighters, bus drivers, mail carriers, grocery store workers and countless others who often work without much recognition. It is also a reminder that work is more than a paycheck. It can represent pride, purpose, perseverance and the opportunity to build a better life for those who come after us.

Labor Day offers something else worth celebrating: a well-earned pause. A day of rest to gather with family and friends and to appreciate that behind nearly everything we enjoy is someone who showed up and did the work. In that sense, Labor Day is a simple thank you to the hands, hearts and determination of our workers.

As Labor Day brings summer to a close, it also gives us a moment to pause and recognize the people whose work keeps our communities moving forward. Their contributions are woven into the fabric of everyday life. This Labor Day, we celebrate not only the work that is done, but the hardworking people behind it. They are the backbone of our towns and of our country.

And by the way...did you know that Labor Day is also the unofficial end of hot dog season? The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports that between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans consume an estimated 7 billion hot dogs.

So let’s honor our dedicated workforce this weekend while we enjoy one more grilled hot dog!