updated August 29, 2025
September feels like we’re in the home stretch of the year, two-thirds of the way through. On the 30th day, the year’s third quarter ends. ( What other months have only 30 days?)
Where I live, the daylight hours are getting shorter and the first day of autumn occurs. Vacations end, school resumes, and life returns to a routine.
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Labor Day-September 1
In the United States, we observe the first Monday in September as a federal holiday, Labor Day. Unlike other holidays it does not honor a specific person or historical event. Nor does it have religious significance.
According to the United States Department of Labor (who ought to know)
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.
FYI- The cover photo is from the Department of Labor Flickr stream
Many celebrate Labor Day by not laboring, at least not at a job. Some communities have parades and friends and families gather for picnics, sporting events, or just relaxation.
Otherwise, not much happens on Labor Day except in a book and a movie by that name, and I reviewed both in this post.
Labor Day, the holiday and the book
In this post I review the book Labor Day by Joyce Maynard . It explores an unexpected and transformative weekend for a 13-year-old boy named Henry, his emotionally fragile mother Adele, and a mysterious man named Frank.
Keep readingGrandparents’ Day-September 7
Another un-holiday is Grandparents’ Day, the second Sunday in September.
I think the only people who celebrate it are grandparents. Compared to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this day qualifies for a Bronze medal by default. (that is, comes in third place)
Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting
This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.
Keep readingRemembering history-September 17
One of the most important days in United States history is September 17. We should consider it the most important day.
What about July 4th, Independence Day, you’re thinking. On that day the 13 North American colonies declared independence from England. But on September 17, the colonies became the United States of America.
September 17 is called Constitution Day.
This day honors the creation of the United States government in 1787 as outlined in the Constitution. They started it with this preamble.
We the People of the United States, in Order to
- form a more perfect Union,
- establish Justice,
- insure domestic Tranquility,
- provide for the common defense,
- promote the general Welfare, and
- secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The question of what is and isn’t “constitutional” creates heated debate, but that debate is protected by the Constitution-and that’s something to celebrate.
Freedom of speech was not specified in the original constitution though. That and our other rights were added later by amendments to the Constitution. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
To “celebrate” Constitution Day, I suggest reading the full text. It’s not as long as you think. Here is the link. The original copy has been preserved and you can see it at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
The Constitution of the United States
The day is also called Citizenship Day, an event I celebrated in a post about attending a naturalization ceremony. It has a long history but here is a short version.
In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill linking the two events. He proclaimed
“It is most fitting that every citizen of the United States, whether native-born or foreign-born, should on September 17 of each year give special thought and consideration to his rights and responsibilities under our Constitution.”
In 1956, the event was expanded when President Dwight Eisenhower included Constitution Week—observed from Sept. 17-23—in his annual proclamation.
Welcome new citizens to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Health Care
In the Declaration of Independence, the founders of the United States created a nation based on the “self-evident truths” of “Life ,Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” and to promote “Safety and Happiness” .
Keep reading
9/11/2001
One of the darkest days in United States history, as well as the rest of the world, is September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. The country and the world have not been the same since.
Remembering 911 in literature
I wasn’t expecting to fly right over the Pentagon, and almost missed this shot.
Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY
by Ann Van Hine
“Ann Clark Van Hine, aka Miss Ann, was born in Oxford, England but grew up in Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Ann is the mom of two grown daughters, the widow of an FDNY firefighter, a retired small business owner, a docent with the 9/11 Tribute Museum, a published writer, Children’s Ministries volunteer, and a breast cancer survivor.
Since September 11, 2001, Ann has had numerous opportunities to share the story of God’s presence and peace as she navigated “a personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy.” She has shared her story all over the USA and internationally in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Japan. Ann is available to speak.”
Read a sample here. (This is an affiliate link to earn a commission.)
Women In Medicine Month
The American Medical Association recognizes and honors women physicians in September. I mention several women physicians in this post.
Physicians Post Pandemic-Still on Healthcare’s Frontline
In this post I look back on 2021, when I wrote a post highlighting the efforts of various physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to know what they are doing now. I found they are still committed and caring, although two were lost to the virus.
Keep reading
Working Stiff -a book review to remember 9/11
When she applied for a position in New York City at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Dr. Judy Melinek never imagined that decision would plunge her into the nightmare of September 11, 2001. She was at the ME office that day when the Twin Towers were attacked and fell, killing thousands…
Keep readingexploring the HEART of health
September has 30 days, as do April, June, and November.
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I live near Shanksville Pennsylvania where one of the planes went down in a field. I was on maternity leave and had my daughter in bed with me because I wasn’t ready to get up yet. The plane flew over my house and it shook like an earthquake. I was so scared only to find out just minutes later what was going on. I can still hear the sound in my ears all these years later.
Your September happenings are so informative today.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend. I’m so happy you’re here.
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Oh my Paula, what a memory! I have know few if any reports from people in Pennsylvania who saw or heard what happened so close. I hope the memories have not been too disturbing. I think too many of us do not realize what those passengers sacrificed to save others. They don’t get much recognition on 9/11. Thank you for reminding us of them.
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard of your Constitution day – which as a non American doesn’t surprise me. Interesting more people don’t talk about it tho….#FIneWhatever
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Lydia, most Americans don’t know about it. I belong to an organization that tries to raise awareness of it.
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So many important things going on this month! I always mean to read the Constitution on Constitution Day–I need to do it for sure this time. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #46 linkup! We hope to see you again at #47 sharing more posts, old or new.
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I didn’t know there was a grandparents day! I always look at September as a time for new beginnings, I guess because it’s the month when children start school. Thanks for linking at Is This Mutton
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I always enjoy your monthly reviews, Aletha. September has a special place in my heart as my daughter was born on September 1st. Of course, 9/11 will never be forgotten. My husband was actually on a plan in NYC and saw the first tower on fire. He had no idea what was going on. Later, the agent at the car rental told him to get out of the airport as quickly as he could because it would soon be completely shut down. I knew, before he did, what had happened. He said it was so eerie to look across the river and not see the lights of the Twin Towers. I will never ever forget that day or the days to follow when we truly came together to mourn our fellow citizens and, perhaps, the loss of our innocence.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thank you Marsha, I also had a September baby, a son. What an experience for your husband, seeing the tower burning! And you already knowing what had happened. It reminded me of the day the Oklahoma City federal building was bombed, on a much bigger scale. Tragedy has a way of bringing us together.
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