Weekend…
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
It’s now a three day holiday, and at least in Texas, also the start of Dove season…
When I was a kid, we started school after Labor Day and usually ended in late May (weather dependent). Now days… sigh…
And hopefully, we’ll start seeing ‘some’ break in the weather, because I know ‘we’ could use one! Multiple days over 100 degrees are not fun.
So, enjoy your long weekend, and the cookout you’ve got planned!!!
You have a great weekend yourself. When I was much younger, whitewing dove season was an awesome event. Though hot, sitting in the shade waiting for flights of white wing and mourning dove to arrive was very relaxing. Remington 12 gauge 28″ modified choke Wingmaster was my choice. Inexpensive dove loads with #8 or #7 1/2 shot, low base shells. I haven’t gone in years now but I still remember the experience. Drought and loss of habitat have cut down the number of our birds.
Yeah Man…dove hunting in Texas , remember doing that , we always worked a big sunflower field with a pond that was a heavy flyway for the birds . It was always hot , always had that buzzing of cicadas (we called them locusts where I grew up in Texas, don’t know why) going on in the background . I must have been about 16,17,18. At the end of the day my big polish friend of mine did the cleaning and prep of the birds and me and another guy would build a fire to cook and the cold beer drinking would commence . Thanks NFO for stirring up a good memory , Happy Labor Day to you Sir !
I went to a college that started classes after Labor day because too many freshmen would go home for the three day weekend and not come back to school…..
Unhappy International Workers of the World Unite Day to you, too.
Yep. Socialist ‘holiday.’ Well, at least it’s a good break before the fall months come.
I, thanks to this blog, now can call it ‘Happy Opening of Dove Hunting in Texas Day.’
LOL, seems we ‘all’ have memories of Labor Day after a fashion…
We had an exchange student from… somewhere, who asked why don’t Americans celebrate labor on May 1st like everyone else.
The longest haired, scraggliest hippie in the classroom said “Cuz that’s when commies do it “
Because the AFL and other unions wanted a day when they could have good weather for parades and eating out-of-doors. That wasn’t May 1 in the northeastern US, so they shifted the day to Late August/September.
Yes, I’m a history nerd. 🙂
Too many years in the car biz, I suppose, but the mention of Labor Day makes my feet hurt.
Drang- Too funny!
TXRed- Exactly!
WSF- LOL, but you sold a lot of cars didn’t you?
Four day record, nine. While my crew chief was pleased, other weren’t.
How did I do it? The customer came to buy a car/truck; I let them.
To your point, I went on a skeet shoot this evening as prep for the dove.
Didn’t want to go because of the heat but… it wasn’t too bad under the shade of an old oak. And my double worked well, so.
Your wish is my command 😉
Accuweather says you’ll have a high of 85 today and tomorrow and only 75 Tuesday. We’ll see…
And yes, every year spent opening of dove season up your way. First I was pissed that mom and dad left me with his mother and sisters and wouldn’t let me come. Then I started going as their bird dog. Then I got a .410 single shot bolt action Mossberg and did OK with it. Great memories, but dang it could be hot this time of year!!
Your missing TX doves relocated to Northern CA, it seems. They showed up maybe 25 years ago. They’ve pushed out most of the regular songbirds and such. Damned annoying birds. Real tired of their “coo, coo” calls, and huge splotches of droppings on vehicles. Even Bluebirds are rare now in the San Jose area.
isnt Labor Day the start of white wing below I10?