A worker painting the Hammering Man, a sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky, in Frankfurt, Germany

© Arne Dedert/Alam

Take a break! It's Labor Day!

On this Labor Day, we're paying homage to hard work, no matter what form it takes. In this case, a worker is applying a fresh coat of paint to the Hammering Man, a symbol of laborers everywhere. Hammering Man is a series of sculptures in varying sizes that depict a man with a motorized arm swinging a hammer in a slow, steady motion. American artist Jonathan Borofsky says he created the sculptures as tribute to working-class men and women around the world, and with that in mind, Hammering Man is our Labor Day hero.

The federal holiday was first proposed in the late 19th century by trade unionists who promoted it as a day to honor the contributions of the labor movement. This member of the Hammering Man work squad stands just shy of 69 feet high in Frankfurt, Germany. He's getting a needed touch-up after long hours toiling in the elements. We hope this Labor Day is a pleasant one and you get time for any touch-ups you need too.