Happy Labor Day
Our Happy Labor Day quotes, sayings, and messages are the perfect tonic for that first Monday in September. It is really the last major holiday of the season – summer’s last hurrah.
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Labor Day? Or, maybe you’re interested in some Labor Day quotes. Or, perhaps you’d like to know what’s open and what’s not?
We’ve got you covered on that front as well. Let’s take a closer look at the Labor Day holiday and find out more about its origin and what it represents.
What is Labor Day?
The U.S. holiday falls on the first Monday of September each year. The purpose is to pay tribute to the contributions of American workers and their families.
The first proposal for the holiday called for a street parade to show “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.
In many ways, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Kids are going back to school, and summer vacations are wrapping up. The three-day weekend gives Americans one last chance to enjoy summer before fall arrives.
Why do we celebrate it?
The annual holiday was created by the labor movement to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers.
It recognizes the contributions working people make to the economic well-being and strength of the country. And what better way to honor hard-working Americans than by giving them a day off from work? And if there are a street parade and festivities to go along with it, all the better!
When is Labor Day?
The holiday always falls on the first Monday of September. In 2023, Labor Day in the U.S. falls on September 4, 2023.
See our collection of 100 Labor Day Quotes and Captions.
Best Labor Day Quotes
1.) Without labor, nothing prospers.
Sophocles
2.) Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.
Samuel Gompers
3.) Rules like ‘don’t wear white after Labor Day or ‘shoes matching the handbag’ are antiquated. Modern women should feel free to experiment.
Stacy London
4.) Genius begins with great works; labor alone finishes them.
Joseph Joubert
5.) Labor Day is seen as a day of rest for many hardworking Americans.
James P. Hoffa
6.) Labor is the only prayer that Nature answers.
Robert Green Ingersoll
7.) As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the men and women who fought tirelessly for workers’ rights, which are so critical to our strong and successful labor force.
Elizabeth Esty
8.) If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend.
Doug Larson
9.) Work isn’t to make money; you work to justify life.
Marc Chagall
10.) While we are fighting for freedom, we must see, among other things, that labor is free.
Woodrow Wilson
You might like our Motivational Hard Work Quotes page.
Labor Day Sayings
11.) Employment is nature’s physician and is essential to human happiness.
Galen
12.) If any man tells you he loves America yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he trusts America yet fears labor, he is a fool.
Abraham Lincoln
13.) It is labor indeed that puts the difference on everything.
John Locke
14.) Labor in this country is independent and proud. It has not ask for the patronage of capital, but capital solicits the aid of labor.
Daniel Webster
15.) The candidate out front on Labor Day has historically been the one who stayed ahead in November.
Peter Jennings
16.) For working people and union members, Labor Day stands for something special and profound. It’s a day to honor the deep commitment each of us has to serve the children we teach, the families we heal, and the communities we love.
Randi Weingarten
17.) Labor is the superior of capital and deserves much the higher consideration.
Abraham Lincoln
Historical Labor Day Quotes
18.) According to Ted Watt’s ‘The First Labor Day Parade,’ the September date was chosen because it coincided with a Knights of Labor conference in New York, thus guaranteeing a sizable turnout for the festivities.
Brendan I. Koerner
19.) A hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.
Albert Einstein
20.) In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday, with Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York quickly following suit.
Brendan I. Koerner
21.) Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation, our economy, and our collective prosperity. It gives us a chance to show gratitude for workers’ grit, dedication, ingenuity, and strength, which define our nation’s character.
Tom Perez
Quotes About Working
22.) Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
23.) Dreams don’t work unless you do.
John C. Maxwell
24.) Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
Steve Jobs
25.) No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
26.) Work is no disgrace; the disgrace is idleness.
Greek Proverb
27.) Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.
Maya Angelou
28.) Inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it.
Madeleine L’Engle
29.) Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
Aristotle
30.) Life without endeavor is like entering a jewel mine and coming out with empty hands.
Japanese Proverb
31.) The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
32.) No one understands and appreciates the American Dream of hard work leading to material rewards better than a non-American.
Anthony Bourdain
Hard work quotes
33.) Those at the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.
Unknown
34.) When you put a lot of hard work into one goal, and you achieve it, that’s a really good feeling.
Derek Jeter
35.) It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.
Theodore Roosevelt
36.) A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.
Colin Powell
37.) I learned the value of hard work by working hard.
Margaret Mead
38.) Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.
Sam Ewing
39.) Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.
Donovan Bailey
40.) The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.
Oprah Winfrey
41.) Without ambition, one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
42.) There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
Colin Powell
43.) There is no substitute for hard work.
Thomas A. Edison
44.) I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
Thomas Jefferson
Perseverance and working hard
45.) I’ve learned from experience that if you work harder at it and apply more energy and time to it and more consistency, you get a better result. It comes from the work.
Louis C.K.
46.) Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
Napoleon Hill
47.) Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having except as a result of hard work.
Booker T. Washington
48.) There is precious little hope to be got out of whatever keeps us industrious, but there is a chance for us whenever we cease work and become stargazers.
H.M. Tomlinson
49.) A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is visible labor, and there is invisible labor.
Victor Hugo
Inspiring Labor Day Quotes
50.) Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
51.) Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.
Stephen King
52.) Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?
Michelle Obama
53.) The miracle is not that we do the work but that we are happy to do it.
Mother Teresa
54.) Though you can love what you do not master, you cannot master what you do not love.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
55.) Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt
Happy Labor Day Quotes
56.) Before the reward, there must be labor. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy.
Ralph Ransom
57.) One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.
Elbert Hubbard
58.) The supreme accomplishment is to blur the lines between work and play.
Arnold J. Toynbee
59.) No human masterpiece has been created without great labor.
Andre Gide
60.) Man is so made that he can only find relaxation from one kind of labor by taking up another.
Anatole France
61.) If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.
Michelangelo
Short Quotes for Labor Day
62.) There is no substitute for hard work.
Thomas Edison
63.) To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.
Pearl S. Buck
64.) Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
Ovid
65.) It doesn’t matter how great your shoes are if you don’t accomplish anything in them.
Martin Boone
66.) All wealth is the product of labor.
John Locke
Famous Job Quotes
67.) Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
Aristotle
68.) Be so good they can’t ignore you.
Steve Martin
69.) Take your job seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.
Alex Trebek
70.) Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
71.) Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
John Wooden
72.) Work to become, not to acquire.
Elbert Hubbard
73.) Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin Franklin
74.) Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.
Katherine Whitehorn
75.) Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
Suzy Kassem
Funny Work Quotes
76.) If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
Milton Berle
77.) I never drink coffee at work. It keeps me awake.
Judy Brown
78.) I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn’t park anywhere near the place.
Steve Wright
79.) My brother-in-law gave up his job because of illness. His boos got sick of him.
Henny Youngman
80.) I used to work at the unemployment office. I hated that job because when they fired me, I had to show up at work the next day anyway.
Wally Wang
81.) I had the most boring office job in the world. I used to clean the windows on envelopes.
Rita Rudner
Amusing Takes on Working
82.) You moon the wrong person at an office party, and suddenly you’re not “professional” anymore.
Jeff Foxworthy
83.) I called a temp agency looking for work, and they asked if I had any phone skills. I said, “I called you, didn’t I?”
Zach Galifianakis
84.) I work for myself, which is fun. Except for when I call in sick – I know I’m lying.
Rita Rudner
85.) Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.
George Carlin
86.) I wonder, will we ever find a cure for that mysterious illness that turns three-day weekends into four-day weekends?
Jason Love
Employee Appreciation Sayings
87.) Your dedication and exemplary work effort has enabled us to hit all of our goals. You’re the best!
88.) The office is a better place because of your presence. We appreciate you!
89.) Going above and beyond is just another day at the office for you. You make the extraordinary seem ordinary. But don’t think we don’t notice!
90.) Your extra “umph” helps our team triUMPH! Congratulations on all your contributions. You’re making a big difference!
91.) For folks who give their all, day in and day out, I salute you and stand in amazement at your accomplishments!
92.) Every day, I’m impressed by what I see of your effort, your talents, and your accomplishments. Keep on keeping on!
93.) I’d like to express my gratitude for the great team spirit that has been on display!
94.) To all my colleagues, please know that I consider myself so fortunate to have you as co-workers. You make my job and my day so much easier.
95.) You take the “Im” out of the impossible and make it happen. Thank you.
Labor Day Weekend Captions
96.) So long, Summer. I’ll miss you
97.) It’s “No Alarm Monday,” folks!
98.) Let’s celebrate work by not doing any!
99.) Oversleep this Monday.
100.) Celebrate the hustle by not moving a muscle.
101.) Can we press the restart button on Summer?
102.) May the weekend not end.
103.) Noting better than short ribs on a long weekend.
104.) Don’t worry; beach happy.
105.) Dear Summer, Please take me with you.
106.) The end of Summer is a big bummer!
Labor Day History
The American labor movement—specifically the Central Labor Union—created the holiday in 1882 in New York to honor the accomplishments of men and women workers.
It was mainly celebrated at the local and state level. President Grover Cleveland signed the law making Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894 for all states, including the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories.
Labor Day Fun Facts
1). While credit is generally given to the broader labor movement for the creation of the holiday, some evidence shows that the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (also co-founder of the American Federation of Labor), Peter J. McGuire, came up with the idea.
Other records show it was a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union Matthew Maguire’s creation.
2). Ever hear the expression “You can’t wear white after Labor Day”? The old trope has roots in historical tradition. Wealthy 19th-century Americans often vacationed at lakeside or beach locations each summer.
To beat the summer’s heat, they would wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, usually made of linen. When the vacation season was over, and they returned to work, a return to dark-colored business attire was required. Thus the idea that you can’t wear white after Labor Day was created.
3). Labor Day is one of ten official federal holidays. The other federal holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (Fourth of July), Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Video: Great Labor Day BBQ ideas
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Labor Day.
How do we celebrate Labor Day?
The three-day weekend allows folks to enjoy some well-earned vacation before kids go back to school and fall activities take hold.
For many people, the Labor Day weekend represents their last chance at summer activities. Here are some popular weekend traditions for your happy Labor Day.
Cookouts – Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and chicken seem to be standard fare.
Parades.
Baseball games. A day at the ballpark is a great way to have a happy Labor Day.
Concerts.
Relax with friends. What better way to enjoy a happy Labor Day than to do it with friends?
Weekend getaway.
Camping.
Beach.
Swimming.
Road trip travel.
Biking.
Picnics.
Summer foods like corn on the cob, watermelon, and fresh fruit.
Frisbee golf.
Grilling.
Going to the park.
Golf.
What is closed on Labor Day?
Because Labor Day is a federal holiday, the following shops and services will be closed.
1). There is no mail delivery. All post offices close on Labor Day.
2). Banks are not open on Labor Day.
3). Shipping services like FedEx and UPS close.
4). Public schools are not open.
5). Most business offices close for the holiday.
6). The government shuts down on Labor Day. Most city, state and federal offices will be shuttered for the holiday, including government buildings and Federal Reserve banks. Additionally, most government services (like the DMV) will be closed or have restricted hours of operation.
7). A few major retail stores close, including Costco.
8). Parking meters are generally not enforced on Labor Day.
What is open on Labor Day?
Not everything shuts down on the end-of-summer holiday. Some businesses remain open, offering holiday sales and specials so folks can take advantage of the long weekend. Here’s a list of some of the places and services that are open for business on Labor Day.
1). Many restaurants, grocery stores, and liquor stores stay open for the holiday, but it is a good idea to call ahead or check online to confirm.
2). Emergency services like 911, police, and hospitals remain open.
3). Transportation services like airports, Amtrak trains, and bus services are open.
4). The national parks remain open on Labor Day, even though much of the federal government shut down for the holiday.
5). Some of the so-called big-box stores are open on Labor Day. These stores often feature holiday sales and promotions. Here’s a list of some retailers that are often open for business on Labor Day (be sure to call ahead or check online to confirm!):
a.) Target
b.) Walmart
c.) Home Depot
d.) T.J. Maxx
e.) Some shopping malls and stores are open on Labor Day. Many offer sales and discounts to celebrate the holiday.
Happy Labor Day – Final Thoughts
It’s hard to find anything bad to say about this public holiday. But all this talk about Labor Day has me wanting to take a little break from labor now. Happy Labor Day! And, with that, I’ll sign off.
By Greg Johnson and Mike O’Halloran
Greg is a writer and designer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who usually finds time to do a little fishing when he’s not at work. He likes going after the big Muskies. Mike is the founder of Greeting Card Poet.
Etcetera
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