Labor Day Weekend Memories
First things first – What is Labor Day anyway? It is a holiday that many people are able to get paid for taking off and having fun. Or is it the time between summer ends and school begins?
Whatever we believe now, it was a far different way of thinking back in the late 1890’s after the civil war, and up to the 1930’s. People really appreciated the hard work they did and the reality of not having work.
Movies
Why are people paid for this particular Holiday? The labor movement worked hard to improve the social and economic status of America. England gave us the idea, but the promotion in America was all Americans. One of the clear motivations for businessmen at that time to give their workers time off is that they would have more opportunity to purchase entertainment, tickets for traveling or have more time to dine out. They were ready for this time of life.
Another movie would be Grapes of Wrath. A serious movie in the Oklahoma dustbowl in the ’30’s. John Steinbach’s Grapes of Wrath.
Pinkerton’s TV is about life during the times and right before in America. the setting just before the labor union struggles began
.
F.I.S.T would be on my son’s list. It’s seriously serious, but very moving too.
Oscar is a movie you may choose from my list. Very, very funny, it is a movie I would watch again. I really enjoyed the setting as Stallone is the #1 gangster in Chicago and he tries to go “straight”. I don’t generally like comedies, but in my opinion, this is in a class of its own. Maybe because it’s Stallone.
Food
My son is the greatest at BBQ. At one of the family get togethers at our home, a newly befriended teenage relative reminded my son that “He was now his best friend.” So, make sure to make people happy by having lots of good food. People like to bring things to eat.
Family Outside Games
Other things we have enjoyed is outside games. Kids usually don’t need reminders in our ‘neck of the woods’ to be entertained. The outside world has a fascination of its own. But I enjoyed Croquet when I was younger, and even now that would be a great game. My kids liked the ball games that became competitive. Actually, what we really enjoyed was piping the music outside and doing some crazy folk dancing or line dancing. Outside at night, lots of fun.
Travel on Mini Vacations
Or you may be like my daughter and be itching to go somewhere. I think if I wanted to remember Labor Day, I would go to New York city, and maybe try one of the food trucks they have instead of picnics now. I may go to Oregon because they were the first state to make Labor Day a state law. But I think what may win out, beside the ocean, because I enjoy the ocean, is Mount Rushmore. It would remind me of the changes that the Presidents made, like Grover Cleveland making Labor Day Weekend a national holiday.
But movie night always wins out. And don’t forget the popcorn!
