MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Gene Hickok today joined Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Discovery World Chairman Michael J. Cudahy to introduce the History Channel's youth-oriented documentary, "The Story of Labor Day." Students from the Congress Extended Year Round School attended the event, which was held at the James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology.

"It's important for students to know the true meaning behind our civic holidays and not that they are just a day off from school or work," Deputy Secretary Hickok said. "The values that inspired our nation-honesty, hard work, equal justice for all, dedication, compassion, concern for others and sacrifice-are the same ones that inspire us today."

The film explores the origin and meaning of the Labor Day holiday and includes interviews with students from around the nation who discuss what they know about the holiday and what jobs they want when they grow up.

The documentary is part of a cooperative venture between the Department and the History Channel aimed at making students more aware of the importance of our national holidays. Other programs include documentaries about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, and Veterans Day.

The 30-minute documentary will air nationally on Monday, Sept. 6 on the History Channel at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET/PT.

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