On Monday, Sept. 2, Americans will salute the economic and social contributions of the working class. Many will mark the day by attending community parades, hosting backyard barbecues or simply relaxing, reflecting and recharging with family and friends on what is widely considered to be the unofficial end of summer. 

The Coca-Cola archives team shared with us the full-page print ad pictured above, which ran in The American Weekly just before Labor Day 1941. The copy in the red disc reads as follows:

Labor Day, tomorrow, emphasizes the fact that work needs a pause to produce more work, better work. So in factory, office, shipyard and workshop you find a welcome for ice-cold Coca-Cola... the easy way to turn to refreshment without turning from work. The pause that refreshes is on the job.

The first Labor Day was celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, and it was declared a national holiday in 1894. Other nations, including Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand, observe Labor Day – or Labour Day – on dates with special significance to the labor movement in their respective countries. In some parts of the world, Labor Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day (May 1). For more Labor Day facts, check out this article on The Huffington Post.