Labor Day is the perfect time to sit and reflect on the hard work we do each day. We support our families and make the money needed to further our myriad endeavors, and this is our national day of rest.

The first observance of Labor Day was on September 5, 1882, when New York City workers took to the streets and paraded through lower Manhattan. The day later became a federal observance in 1894.

The spirit of the holiday has its origins among factory employees who have historically toiled amid the harshest work conditions and for some of the lowest wages. More than a century later, our food system continues to be staffed with hardworking people who still need advocacy, care, and consideration.

On this Labor Day, if you are among the lucky ones to have the day off, think of those who woke up early this morning and continued to make the goods we so often take for granted. Open your eyes to the harsh conditions of the individuals whose families are barely solvent due to low wages. Stand in solidarity today, and each day after that, with the people who suffer through warm temperatures to ensure that our homes stay cool or that our freezers stay stocked with refreshing treats like popsicles and ice for our beverages.

May we also extend a thank you and unwavering appreciation for the staff at the Watkins Glen and Acton sanctuaries. Our animal residents deserve the most caring human hands, and while so many can take the day off, our workers still tend to the animals in need. This is a testament to their dedication.

Labor Day is more than a holiday. It’s a movement. Keep it, as well as those unsung heroes who are hard at work, close to your heart.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor