Today is a day to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers.

While many of us might think of Labor Day as a sign of the end of summer or the start of a new school year, it is a holiday with deep roots in the American tradition. Today’s holiday has been honored every year since 1894, when Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday in September Labor Day and a legal holiday. According to the Department of Labor, the holiday was created by the nation’s labor movement and dedicated to  celebrate American workers, their strength and the prosperity of our country.

So when we fire up the barbecue or laze by the pool today, let’s also remember the hard work of the dedicated workers who helped build this country.