<p><strong>Loggers fell a giant <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/sequoias/quammen-text">sequoia</a> in <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/california-guide/">California</a> in 1917—an example of the pain, sweat, and grit of workers who are recognized on the U.S. holiday of Labor Day.</strong></p><p dir="ltr">On the first Monday of September, Americans enjoy a day of rest to appreciate the social and economic efforts of those whose hard work built our country.</p><p dir="ltr">The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, by the Central Labor Union, <a href="http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm">according to the U.S. Department of Labor</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">As President Theodore Roosevelt once said: "It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things."</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Text by E. Ray Walker</em></p><p><em>Photo editing by Nicole Werbeck, Sarah Leen, and Jessie Winder</em></p>