A Note from Laura Hill, CEO of Pinnacle Recruitment Services
As Labor Day approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the history of this national holiday, what it represents, and what our nation has accomplished since its founding more than 140 years ago.
Labor Day began as a movement in New York City with the first celebration in 1882 and became an official federal holiday in 1894. It was created to honor workers — individuals whose dedication, skill, and sacrifice built the foundation of our nation. From Industrial Revolution workers, unaware of the profound impact their efforts would have, to today’s innovators, caregivers, and builders, Labor Day reminds us of the enduring strength of our nation’s workforce.
Since the founding of this holiday, workers have helped propel our nation through remarkable eras of progress — from the close of the Industrial Revolution to the rise of the Information Age; from the invention of electric light to breakthroughs in biotechnology; from the first airplanes to aerospace exploration; from the building of dams, roads, and high-rises to advances in medicine, public health, and social progress. The list of achievements is far too long for a single article, but each milestone is a tribute to the spirit of perseverance and ingenuity that defines us
And yet, in today’s fast-moving world, many people — young and old — feel disconnected, without purpose, or without a sense of community. We live in a time of instant communication and global connection, but oftentimes at the expense of genuine human interaction. Our grandparents and great-grandparents faced struggles like drought, famine, or war; future generations will surely face challenges of their own. What lessons, then, are worth carrying forward? What carries the spirit of our nation’s workforce?
For me, it is the endurance of our nation’s spirit — our ability to adapt, to create, and to leave the world better than we found it. It is the courage of workers and the vision of entrepreneurs, two paths that are closely intertwined. Both are bound by a shared belief: that dreams worth striving for should be seized with both hands, molding the future for generations to come. Grit, endurance, and aspiration — hope that our work is not without purpose, but propels the generations that come after us.
This Labor Day, may we honor those who came before us, celebrate those working beside us, and inspire those who will come after us. Together, we carry forward the story of our nation’s labor — a story of grit, progress, and hope, not just for one, but for all.