For a lot of people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer. But why is it called Labor Day? Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women.

On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway carrying banners celebrating the power of the worker. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States since 1894. On this very special day, take a moment to reflect on these words of wisdom from leaders who walked before us.

“I’m a great believer in luck, and
I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

– Thomas Jefferson

“Wealth is the product of labor.”
– John Locke

“There is no substitute for hard work.”
– Thomas Edison

“Nobody can think straight who does not work.
Idleness warps the mind.”

– Henry Ford

“Choose a job you love, and you will never
have to work a day in your life.”

– Confucius

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity
and importance and should be undertaken
with painstaking excellence.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

With these words to guide you, enjoy the day off and be sure to celebrate your coworkers and those around you..