Labor Day is upon us and for many that means a three-day weekend – but what are we celebrating? Let’s explore the meaning of Labor in a special holiday edition of the Weekend Word.
la·bor
ˈlābər/
noun
1. work, especially hard physical work.
2. the process of childbirth, especially the period from the start of uterine contractions to delivery.
verb
1. work hard; make great effort.
No matter how you look at it, to labor means to work hard, presumably towards an end result. For centuries workers have been the backbone of the country. Companies rely on workers to produce goods for sale, which contribute to the country’s overall economy. Therefore it’s safe to say that to keep a country healthy, we have to keep the workforce healthy, happy and educated. This is a primary reason for the existence of the American Labor Movement and organized workforces.
Labor Day is a day to celebrate our country’s hard-working men and women. According to the US Department of Labor’s website…
“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
We are not the only country who recognizes and celebrates the importance of the workforce. More than 80 countries celebrate International Worker’s Day on May 1st. Our friends over in Uganda celebrate this holiday on May 1st as well – only they call it Labour Day. As a developing country, Ugandan government officials are stressing the importance of a thriving workforce to the overall health of a country. But before one can enter the workforce, they need to be educated in a skill or trade.
This weekend as you are celebrating and reflecting on the achievements of the American men and women in the workforce, please consider making a donation to help developing countries reach the same heights. Our students are laboring every day towards becoming educated so that they too can contribute to the country’s growth – lifting themselves and their country from poverty to prosperity. With your donation, they can go even farther.
By the way – Isn’t it a little funny that we take a day off to celebrate the achievements we make in the workplace? It serves as a reminder to take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments every once in awhile.
Don’t work too hard this weekend!
Cristen
