Party Planning and More…

It may not feel like it just yet, but the arrival of September marks summer’s swan song. Temperatures may still be sizzling, but the calendar nudges us into a new sense of purpose. As the season draws to a close, lazy days at the pool are replaced by back-to-school shopping and preparations for the crisp activities of fall. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one last soiree to bid farewell to summer.

History of Labor Day

Falling on the first Monday of every September, Labor Day has become synonymous with the transition from the dog days of summer into the early days of autumn. First instituted by the Central Labor Union in New York City in 1882, it originated as a day of recognition for blue-collar workers. In 1894, Congress decreed Labor Day to be a federal holiday for all employees.

In its attempts to get the holiday approved, legislators had drawn up a proposal that included the specific ways in which it should be celebrated: a street parade consisting of all labor unions, and a subsequent festival for all of the workers and their families. The modern-day celebrations we take part in today closely mirror the original intentions of those early lobbyists.

In 1909, the American Federation of Labor decreed the Sunday before Labor Day as “Labor Sunday,” intended to observe the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.

There has been some controversy as to who first created the Labor Day holiday. Some attribute the credit to Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others claim it was Matthew Maguire, a machine worker who later served as secretary of the Central Labor Union, who suggested the holiday.

What makes Labor Day so different from other national holidays is that it’s not devoted to any one single person, race, gender, or battle. It’s simply an all-encompassing tribute to all of the country’s workers, spanning all industries, sectors, and classes. Our country would not enjoy the freedoms and strengths it boasts today if it weren’t for the millions of citizens who have devoted their time and effort each day to their trade of choice.

Modern-Day Celebrations

Today, every state in the USA observes Labor Day as a state holiday. Typically, a majority of American families celebrate with cookouts, picnics, parades, and fireworks. The festivities generally stretch through the entire three-day weekend. Many areas also host cultural events, such as public art festivals and music festivals. Water sports are also highly popular activities—Labor Day weekend sees a significant spike in boating, waterskiing, canoeing, and swimming. It’s also a major travel weekend, as many families take advantage of the holiday to enjoy a mini-vacation or visit family.

For football enthusiasts, the Labor Day holiday indicates the swing into football season, as the NFL and NCAA gear up for its pre-season games.

Public events often include appearances by prominent politicians and local celebrities. When it happens to be an election year, Labor Day festivities are more politically motivated, as candidates who are running for office use the opportunity to address potential voters.

Fall into Fashion

For hundreds of years, style etiquette has decreed Labor Day as the cut-off point for wearing white clothing. After the Labor Day weekend, it’s generally considered a fashion faux pas to wear pure white, although “winter white” is acceptable. In recent years, however, this restriction has become less widely observed, as more and more contemporary fashion designers flout the rule by promoting white ensembles well into fall and winter.

International Observances

Labor Day is celebrated in many other countries on May 1st. These international celebrations often include speeches and demonstrations of a more political nature than here in the USA.

Ways to Celebrate Labor Day

• Throw a block party. What better way to bid goodbye to summer than throwing a street-wide celebration? It’s a fun, easy way to turn passing acquaintances into built-in friends, and to form family connections that will endure for seasons to come. Gauge the neighbors’ interest, and then assign tasks to each participating family.
• Throw a parade. You can incorporate this with your block party. Set a time for a good old-fashioned parade. It doesn’t have to be particularly elaborate—have the kids decorate their bicycles with red, white, and blue streamers and balloons, deck out a few cars, put on some patriotic music, and send the convoy slowly down the street. To make your parade even more fun, consider including pets, a school marching band, baton twirlers, hula hoop experts, unicycles, cheerleading squads, and more. The only limit to any street parade is the neighborhood’s collective imagination!
• Let Old Glory wave. Don’t forget to fly the venerable stars and stripes to commemorate this patriotic holiday. Our country’s flag always has a place outside any American home, but it’s especially fitting around Labor Day.
• Don’t forget the music. No summer party is complete without a soundtrack. For Labor Day, patriotic tunes are fitting. Increase the energy level with such stirring favorites as The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful.
• Perfect your swan dive. Most public pools officially close after Labor Day, so take advantage of one last opportunity to get in some splashing and sunbathing. If you have a pool, consider hosting a pool party. Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard with a small, inflatable pool or entertaining guests on the deck of a luxurious, in-ground swimming pool, adding a little water to your Labor Day events can instantly boost the festivity level.

However you choose to spend Labor Day weekend, be sure to obey one rule of thumb: relax! After a long, hot summer, you deserve one last laid-back weekend before the hustle and bustle of fall begins.