Labor Day is here!  It’s touted as the “unofficial” end of the summer and is the beginning of the slide into 2025.  Monday, September 2, is a federal holiday, so enjoy the fruits of your labor with a day off.

Oregon was the first state to make the day an official holiday in 1887.  When it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states had already recognized it. Created to celebrate American workers and their achievements in the development of this country, it was only for federal workers when it was named a federal holiday.  In the 1930’s, labor unions were urging their members to strike to get the day off.

Labor Day means schools are back in session, fall sports are upon us, there are big sales in retail everywhere, AND you are not supposed to wear white and still be “fashionable” after Labor Day.

Labor Day is big in the sports world.  High School, NCAA and NFL football kick off their grueling seasons.  The Southern 500 NASCAR race in Darlington, South Carolina has been run on Labor Day since 1950.  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be thundering to the finals of the National Hot Rod Association drag finals.  In NYNY they are playing the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

So enjoy the weekend, watch some football (LSU vs USC/Sunday night), crank up the grill, and blow it out.  Enjoy Monday off.  That’s the plan in this neck of the woods: baby-back ribs, beans, and a football beverage.  The much-needed rain that we are expecting is a great reason to stay indoors and cook a little this weekend.