Labor Day

Labor Day.  What is Labor Day?  Why do we celebrate it?  How do we celebrate it?  Let's take a look, shall we?

'Murica

The Origins of Labor Day

According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

That all seems pretty meaningless to most modern Americans.  We kind of just take the extra day-off or the holiday pay for some that work it, and we move about our business.  For me, Labor Day was always the end of Summer.  School typically started the next day so it wasn't a happy day off for me but a tragic end to the freedom Summer vacation brought.  Times have changed.  My kids now resume school almost a month prior to Labor Day.  For them, it IS a bonus day off.

What to Do on Labor Day

Put up your flag.  Labor Day is a flag flying holiday according to the American Flag Foundation.  Remember, the flag should be taken down in inclement weather AND must be illuminated if left out at night. On a side note, I discovered an interesting fact about American flags at Disney theme parks thanks to WDW Secrets: Main Street USA is a little slice of Americana. Above this idyllic small town setting you’ll find about a dozen American flags. One thing though, none of them have 50 stars! Is this Disney just trying to be historically accurate? Nope. The real reason is that flags with less then 50 stars don’t count as real flags. Thus, they do not have to be taken down in poor weather or illuminated at night. A sharp eye will find these type of flags throughout WDW.

Past putting out your flag, you could go shopping at one of the ludicrous sales that occur all weekend long.  Leave it to corporate america to destroy a holiday. (You've already seen Halloween stuff for sale, right?)  Just remember, stores staying open on Labor Day are in direct conflict with the spirit behind the holiday.  Thank every employee you come in contact with and tip well!

Have a barbecue with family and friends.  Labor Day is a quintessential American holiday and nothing is more American that grilled burgers and ice cold beer.  Do it at a home, at the beach, in a park, in the mountains, anywhere that it's legal to crack open a cold one.

This is also, traditionally, the final "Summer Camping" trip.  Enjoy the great outdoors.  Visit a National Park.  Explore the wilderness near you.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your day and be grateful you live in America because, even with all of our problems, we're still pretty awesome.