What great weather
we had here in Pennsylvania for the weekend. 
Perhaps, the last one before Fall. 
After all, Labor Day weekend is next weekend.  Speaking of “Labor Day,” I read how the
meaning of “Labor Day” has changed over the years.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the
first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form that
the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the
first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public
“the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor
organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation
and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for
the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were
introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic
significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American
Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was
adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects
of the labor movement.

Today Labor Day is often regarded
simply as a day of rest and, compared to the May 1 Labor Day celebrations in
most countries.  Parades, speeches or
political demonstrations are more low-key, although especially in election
years, events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and
appearances by candidates for office. Forms of celebration include picnics,
barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families
with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of
the summer. 

Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties
before returning to school. However, of late, schools have begun
well before Labor Day.  In addition,
Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League
and NCAA College Football. The NCAA usually plays their first games the weekend
of Labor Day, with the NFL playing their first game the Thursday following
Labor Day.