Labor Day may not be one of the most celebrated holidays. There are no traditions of handing out presents or dressing up in costume. For most retail businesses it is just another reason to have a big sale to draw in consumers. But the true meaning of Labor Day is much more than that. It is a day to honor and celebrate the men and women, from past and present, who have helped build the everyday structure that we all live by. Whether in a factory, a hospital, on a construction site, in a restaurant, or in a classroom, everyone who has ever stepped foot into the workplace has helped make a difference in all our lives.
The meaning of Labor Day
Labor Day is an American holiday that first emerged in the early 1880s. As the United States industrial economy grew, so did the demands placed on workers. More and more men, women and, in some cases, children, were needed to keep the machine of industry moving. Workers’ unions began to grow and so did the need to recognize the hard workers who were building the American infrastructure.
In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed into federal law that the first Monday in September would be observed as Labor Day.
Parade of hard work
In 1882, the first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City and featured over 10,000 workers walking before a cheering crowd. In Franklin County, where agriculture has long played an important role, parades have often featured tractors and balers. Often Labor Day parades feature representatives from every business, not just union workers.
Legacy built on blood and sweat
Labor Day is about legacy — the legacy built by workers of the past and those who will build the future. Franklin County has been home to many successful businesses, including Geiser Manufacturing, Olympia Candy Kitchen, Hostetter’s Grocery and the Hotel Mercer. Its history was shaped by the men who worked in ironworks and built bridges and railroads, the teachers who educated generations of future workers and leaders and the carpenters, electricians and plumbers who built and maintained the homes and buildings that make up the county.
For many residents, Labor Day is often seen as a day off work, but it is so much more than that. Too often we take for granted the places we live in, the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Take a moment to think about those who have come before us and those whose hard work lies just ahead to help keep the machine of America moving along.
