| Thank you, Lisa Landen Watkins in Myrtle Beach, SC, for this week's cover image! |
Labor Day is upon us!
Thought of as a last farewell to summer (even though autumn won’t officially begin until September 22), Labor Day is one of those holidays whose timing and vaguely associated rituals have become bigger than the reason that it exists at all.
Always celebrated on the first Monday in September, Labor Day is recognized throughout the United States as a national holiday (in Canada: Labour Day). While most people today have some understanding of Labor Day’s connection to celebrating the American worker, its original intention was to bolster the labor movement, bringing attention to the strength in trade unions and labor organizations. The special day was the brainchild of labor union leader Peter J. Maguire (or possibly his brother, Matthew), cofounder of the American Federation of Labor.
The first Labor Day parade was held in 1882 in New York, the heart of the American industrial powerhouse. By the summer of 1894, when U.S. president Grover Cleveland signed Labor Day into national recognition, 23 states had already adopted the holiday.
While some of the original meaning of Labor Day has been lost, there’s no doubt that American and Canadian workers—with their ingenuity, determination, and work ethic—are the driving force behind the continent’s economy and prosperity. Whether you’re in the workforce now, once were, or want to be, we thank you for your willingness to do hard work and hope that you are able to take a well-deserved day off!
There’s lots more to learn about the origins of Labor Day, including what role “convenience” played in deciding on the day when it is celebrated.
Labor Day is a popular holiday for grilling. Meat or fish on the grill is great, but don’t forget the veggies! While you’re planning the menu, consider these recipes that make the most of end-of-summer flavors.
A nice, long weekend with traditionally pleasant weather is a great time to tend to your green “estate,” no matter its size, by harvesting, dividing plants, fertilizing the lawn, and—yes—planting for a “second summer,” or the fall. Check out our Labor Day Gardening guide to make the most of your late-summer garden.
Finally, every year, we receive a number of questions about how to properly handle the U.S. flag. For example, did you know that, according to the U.S. Flag Code, Old Glory should never be used for advertising purposes, embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, or printed on paper napkins? Also, the best way to dispose of a flag that is no longer a fitting emblem is to destroy it in a dignified fashion by burning. Learn all about U.S. flag etiquette, rules, and guidelines.
As sure as the Sun will rise and set each day, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is here for you, now and always.
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