Labor Day began as Americans were increasingly migrating off the farm and taking up the skilled occupations that sustained our growing industrialization. The first Labor Day parade was held in New York in 1882 by the carpenters union and 12 years later the day became a national holiday to honor the trades and their unions.

Here we are, 125 years after that first event and Labor Day has lost much of its meaning. In many companies, the least -skilled and the most-skilled in the work force spend their days much the same — sitting in front of a computer screen. It would be fitting and accurate, and terribly unromantic, if the day recognized the sedentary office worker.

Instead of trades and occupations, Labor Day should recognize work itself because that's what Americans really like to do best. Admitting that we like to work just isn't done; it's like a high-school student saying class is too easy.

But we Americans work longer hours and take less time off than those in any other industrial nation. Most of the country works — all told, 153 million of us. In fact, some 310,000 Americans like to work so much they hold two full-time jobs.

It is a documented trend that workers retire, try leisure for a while and then get another job, maybe only part time but still a job.

They give different, slightly evasive reasons — a way to keep active, to meet people, to pick up a little extra money — but basically because they miss working.

It is a matter of national controversy that people are sneaking into our country to join us at work. From watching us from afar, they know that if they work hard they can get ahead, save some money, buy a house and give their kids a better life than they had. And you know what we call that? The American dream.

Foreigners think it funny and typically American that we think nothing of asking somebody we just met, "So, what do you do for a living?" We like to talk about our jobs.

And unlike some of the more static societies, we know that we can always go do something else, in essence, get another job. After all, this is the country that added the phrase "second career" to the language.

It is fitting in a uniquely American sort of way that we celebrate Labor Day by not doing anything. Enjoy your Labor Day.

We'll see you at work Tuesday morning.