With the Labor Day weekend upon us, let’s take time out to celebrate the many contributions America’s hard-working men and women make to our individual and collective well-being.

The first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 in New York City, organized by the city’s Central Labor Union after labor leaders witnessed Canadian labor celebrations. 

Municipal ordinances requiring observance of Labor Day were passed throughout the country in the mid-1880s. These local ordinances quickly led to the first state law honoring Labor Day – enacted by Oregon in 1887.  Over half the states adopted the holiday by 1894.

That same year, Labor Day became a national holiday. Seeking reconciliation with labor leaders after ordering the suppression of the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland rushed legislation through Congress making Labor Day a national holiday. 

The legislation leading to the national holiday indicated that Labor Day observances should take the form of parades to exhibit "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.

Over the years, Labor Day has morphed into not much more than a three-day weekend signaling the end of summer, return to school and beginning of the football season.

But, as the Labor Department tells us: “The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”

Unfortunately, workers have a lot less to celebrate this Labor Day. Consider some of these statistics from the Economic Policy Institute: 

• Total jobs lost during the recession: 6.9 MILLION.
• Unemployment rate: 9.7%.
• States with double-digit employment as of July 2009: 16.
• Uninsured Americans in 2007: 45 MILLION.
• Share of people near retirement with 401(k) balances under $40,000: 50%.
• Workplaces with no contract three years or more after a union election is won: 25%.
• Increase in health care premiums since 1999: 119%.

But these grim statistics should not stop us from celebrating work and workers.

So this year, consider stepping away from the backyard barbeque for a few moments and attending a Labor Day celebration put on by your regional central labor council. You’ll likely find good food, entertainment and plenty of opportunities to connect with local leaders.

Here is a list of Labor Day events happening throughout Wisconsin.