Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose
September 2, 2021
Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose
Labor Day Celebrations
by Terry Ambrose
“A lovelier day for a national holiday could not have been asked for. The smoky haze that filled the air kept off the hot rays of the sun, but it was still warm enough to make out-door life attractive.” — The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 3, 1894.
Next Monday is the 127th celebration of Labor Day. Since its beginnings in 1894, Labor Day has seen some tumultuous times. A depression (or two), world wars, and tremendous social change. And yet, the holiday lives on. Whether you think of Labor Day as a day to recognize how laborers helped build America, as the official end of summer, or just another day to rock those online sales, this one’s got something for everyone.
Before we get into the more modern meanings of Labor Day, let’s take another look back at what that first Labor Day looked like.
“Organized labor will be on dress parade today in honor of the new national holiday. It is Labor Day by legal designation and the industrial hosts of the country have made elaborate arrangements to give it a christening worthy of the name and occasion.” — The Washington Times, Washington, D.C., September 3, 1894
Aha! Elaborate parades and auspicious guests! And those celebrations weren’t just in Washington, D.C. Even Topeka, KN, had a celebration. It just didn’t look the same as the Capitol’s.
“The Labor Day observances at Kerr’s park were not of an inspiring nature. About the worst enemy of labor is beer. Under the grand stand, while we looked on, seven men were engaged in dishing out beer, and we are told that at other times there were ten or so engaged.” — The Topeka State Journal on September 5, 1894:
Okay, so not everyone dressed up in fancy suits and frilly dresses. But that wasn’t for lack of opportunity. In fact, even 127 years ago, they had the equivalent of online sales. Just look at this ad from The Evening World (New York, N.Y.), September 3, 1894, (LAST EDITION). I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to head on over to Bloomingdales to pick up some of those books for ten cents!
Congratulations, Labor Day! You matured, but you have changed so little! And with that, it’s time for a little Labor Day celebration of our own.
Do you have a favorite Labor Day story from years past? I’d love to hear it, so leave a comment. One lucky commenter will receive a Kindle version of any of my books. Learn more about the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mysteries, the Trouble in Paradise Mysteries, and the License to Lie Thriller series here. Contest ends September 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
While you’re here, check out our September contest, which runs from September 1-18. The winner selects a book from the book vault on the contest page, with print books limited to US mailing addresses. Enter here!
Posted in Let's Talk, with Terry Ambrose • Tags: BLB Discussion, giveaway, holiday, Labor Day Thoughts, Let's Talk, Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery, Terry Ambrose | 7 Comments
All I can say is that those ten or so guys in Topeka had the right idea! Happy Labor Day!
LOL, Labor Day is time to party on for you, huh, Diane? 🙂
As a child, I was sad to see the Labor Day holiday approach. It meant the end of summer. I spent most of my summers with my grandparents on a little farm in Kentucky. It was a bittersweet time because it also meant the start of a new school year — I loved school.
I can see why you’d have been sad to see summer end, Cheryl. Spending summers on a small farm in Kentucky was probably an amazing experience.
Labor Day was the time for the state fair in NH which is fun but the down side is that on Wednesday we went back to school and I wasn’t a fan. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com
Best of luck in the giveaway! Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t believe our family did anything special over Labor Day. It doesn’t ring a bell in my memory for a specific event or celebration. But it did signify the restart of the school year.