All that, for an 8 hour day

"Unlike the days of old, this federal holiday passes without too much fanfare. Now the labor unions are more concerned with social issues. AND - they have become way, way too political." 

Today it starts for some. A four day weekend. The last "biggie" of the summer. The end of fun for youth, as many schools start next Tuesday. Labor Day. Years ago, it was synonymous with the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Now it is just the "closer" to summer. Most have no idea where this holiday even came from. 

It all started with the loosely organized labor movement wanting to work an eight hour day. Not just here, but also in other countries like New Zealand. The time period was the 1880's and 1890's. Europe already celebrated a labor day - May 1st. Canada also celebrated a labor day celebration - again on May Day (May 1st). The labor movement of the United States decided it was our turn also. And they wanted it either on May 1st, or somewhere close to that.

More and more states started to celebrate the first Monday in September as Labor Day. They wanted a May date, but the President at that time was wary of having a celebration close to the date of the Haymarket Bombing in Chicago. That was a labor demonstration in Chicago which turned violent in 1886. In 1984, President Glover Cleveland signed a bill into law establishing this day, the first Monday in September, to honor the labor that citizens of this country perform during the year. Thus was born Labor Day weekend.

Unlike the days of old, this federal holiday passes without too much fanfare. Now the labor unions are more concerned with social issues. AND - they have become way, way too political. They live deep in the back pockets of the Democrat Party. However, this past election there were some defections to vote for Donald Trump. Why? Believe it or not, Trump had better solutions for the unions than Queen Hillary had. As they do with many of their monolithic voting blocks, Democrats quite often take the labor vote for granted. 

This weekend we will fire up the grill. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, and steaks are on the menu. Soon, the weather will cool, as the first harbingers of fall and winter will be upon us. Our meals will evolve from the grill, to oven baked comfort food. For many, Labor Day is not as much of a holiday as it is a tipping point. The tipping point between summer and early fall. After this scorcher of a summer, I only can say one thing - BRING ON FALL AND COOLER WEATHER!