Another Labor Day is upon us and I find myself wondering just how this day became a holiday. Celebrated all over the world, Labor Day falls near autumn in America; however, for the rest of the planet it is spelled Labour Day and recognized around the first of May. In Russia they call it Mayday, but in America it is my day. That’s right, I am one happy camper when this day is near.

I love it when this time of year is upon us, but I don’t think I know what Labor Day really means or how it came to be. Come to find out, basically it is recognition of the working person. Without which this great nation wouldn’t have rose as fast, but there was never a doubt on where America was going to end up. So a day was picked right before summer was over. Labor Day was to become our last dance before the coolness in the air took over.

Many activities were used to acknowledge this day over the years. Regular parades, family cookouts at the lake or backyard, hopefully done in respect to those who worked hard to build a nation. As with many holidays, seemingly losing their true meaning, Labor Day has as well, lost its true meaning. Ask ten people and I bet hardly any of them know how this day came to be and why. Today, people associate this holiday with knowing that football is around the corner.

Ushering in the fall season is not the only label for LD. This holiday is noted among sports fanatics as the start of a new season of college and professional football. We have been watching pre-season NFL games for a few weeks now and the entire populace of NFLers are ready for the regular season to get underway. NCAA college football kicked off this last weekend and that is the category I fall into. I love college sports and football is right up there at the top. That is one of the reasons I look forward to Labor Day.

When I was young, Labor Day meant that school was getting ready to begin another year. Back then school didn’t start up until the first week of September. Now these kids are well under way to a new year in August. Some school districts like Atlanta, for example, have their kids back in school at the end of July! Now the schools have to have a day off for Labor Day along with many of the other holidays sprinkled through out year.

I also remembered we used to think that Labor Day was just a day off from labor. Growing up, we laughed at those who had to labor on Labor Day. It was kind of funny, but then again, none of us really knew anything about time and a half for holiday pay either. Boy, would we regret the silliness after joining the workforce later on in life.

However you choose to celebrate Labor Day and for whatever reasons, as long as a good time is had and a core remembrance of Labor Day origins are observed, then party up people. Watch the coming football games and all that it entails. Labor Day is here and there is only one thing we all really need to remember from here on out. No more wearing white!

Jeff Payne

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