“Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country,” said Samuel Gompers, founder and lontime president of the American Federation of Labor. “All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man’s prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day. . . is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation.”

For many, Labor Day marks the last camping trip of the summer, the last day of swimming, or the last barbeque. And for once, society hasn’t materialized a religious holiday, forgotten the meaning of a political holiday, or lost sight of the true meaning behind a special day. With Labor Day, camping, swimming, or having a barbeque is right on target.

The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. The Central Labor Union later urged similar organizations in orther cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingman”s holiday”. The idea spread with the growth of labor organiazations, and by 1894, more than half the states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers.

The first proposal of the holiday outlined exactly what Labor Day should observe and celebrate: a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations: of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations, and is generally still followed.

Labor Day is a celebration of our economy (so get out there and spend some money), a tribute to the American worker (so enjoy your break). As for Sonora Grill and other small businesses across the country, we’re off to work.