Everybody knows that Labor Day is to celebrate and recognize people who work. Labor Day has a long history and I think is recognized in about 80 countries.
I thought back to what Labor Day means to me personally. Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. So since most of my life has been in education it's synonymous with school opening. The first Monday makes it awkward to set a school year. You don't want to open schools before Labor Day but sometimes if you don't you don't get your legislated days in before June 30. Opening school before Labor Day means that some kids are still away on holiday so you make class lists and pass out books and lay down the rules and some kids aren't there.
I admit that I didn't do anything special as far as Labor day is concerned in my classes. No excuse. I just didn't think about it.
A a little kid Labor Day brought some mixed emotions. I didn't want to go back to school and end my summer of freedom yet I wanted to go back and meet my friends. I also felt that it was the end of summer and summer fun. Since I was a farm kid, long weekends didn't mean anything. We didn't go away for a holiday and didn't stop working.
My dad, being a farmer and harvesting at the time was not happy to hear about Labor Day. It was not a holiday for him. He was not enthused about some people taking the day off with pay and he still had to work very hard.
Since I've retired I've had time to reflect on Labor Day. I realize that there is an important message in this special day. There are some parades and celebrations. There are some official ceremonies. All of this is to publicize the importance of people who labor. I now look on Labor Day as more than just a day off.
One thing that still puzzles me about Labor Day. Why don't we say Happy Labor Day like we do for thanksgiving and other holidays?
I hope everybody had a good weekend and that you're now ready for school or the coming fall season.
I always associate Labour Day with the beginning of school. And it always bring back memories of my early years. Like you, I didn't want summer vacation to end but I did want to return to school to see friends.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea but ignored here.
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Wow, fall is just around the corner for you. Today almost hit 90, but humidity was down and the angles of the sun are changing. We never went anywhere on labor day either, even though my dad worked weekdays, weekends was farm work.
I've always been in two minds about Labor Day and it's relevance now. It was originally aimed at those who did hard physical labour but now everyone benefits and it seems to me the origins have been forgotten or overlooked.
ReplyDeleteWe always had the first of May to celebrate the Day of Labor by the Socialists Political Party. But it is no longer a day off anymore. The Socialists are loosing followers.
ReplyDeleteI see it as a day of summer closings now. I looked for the parade, but there are not as many it seems.We still have a few weeks of summer, but it seems over.
ReplyDeleteI always thought there needed to be something to signal the end of summer, and Labor Day does quite well. It also has another meaning, I'm told. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've always associated it as part of returning to school.
ReplyDeleteWe actually had a Labour Day parade here yesterday, but I didn't have a camera along.
Well Happy Labor Day...belated! Here it signals the last weekend of summer and school began today. Tourist have exited! Traffic is mot a snarly mess and no more waiting in line at Wally World or the grocery store...more parking spaces too:)
ReplyDeleteWe don't mark Labour Day in England but we do mark May Day. I think it is good that there is a special public holiday in North America to acknowledge the nobility of labour but I can also see very well how its position in the calendar could mess up the start of the school year.
ReplyDeletei had to work, so labor day it was. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll say it: Happy Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you had a Happy Labor Day Red ;)
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