Labor Day and Back-to-School Traditions Through the Years

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In recent decades, the back-to-school season usually falls in August. Historically, however, the school year began after Labor Day, especially in farming communities. Here, families needed their children’s help in the fields.

Consider the Midwest’s recent weather, with temperatures soaring into the 90s. This made unairconditioned classrooms, which relied only on fans and open windows, quite unbearable. Some schools even today face similar conditions.

“I’ve dedicated several columns this year to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. One column last July recalled our 1976 summer vacation at Walt Disney World during the bicentennial.”

Today’s column focuses on a family tradition—an annual back-to-school photo. This snapshot, taken near our parents’ home, included our flag, a security light pole, and a substantial “farm liberty bell.” Erected for the 1976 bicentennial, the bell features an eagle perched on top and the engraving “1776-1976.”

Our mom would arrange my siblings and me holding our new school supplies. These photos marked the start of our academic journey each year. Similarly, our birthdays clustered around late summer, with my sister Pam turning 60 on September 5, coinciding with what would have been our parents’ 73rd wedding anniversary.

The liberty bell still stands, though the paint has chipped and moss has formed over time. Its history remains significant. Farm bells like ours served practical purposes, such as signaling mealtimes. Our community friends—the Spenner, Scamerhorn, Skuderna, Paulsen, and Wappel families—all had similar bells.

Another relic from the bicentennial is the eagle-and-flag rubber “welcome” mats from Kmart. They still greet guests at my parents’ home and the grandparents’ house, enhancing the upcoming 250th birthday observance in 2026.

After school, our mom treated us to warm chocolate chip cookies. These snacks, full of aroma, welcomed us home. Neighbors like the Paulsen family also left lasting impressions. Members of the Paulsen family prepared hearty meals, with roast chicken and dumplings, perfect for students returning from school.

Sue Paulsen, who was my second-grade teacher, excelled in art education and home economics. She was a wonderful cook and provided a “no bake” recipe that she used as a hands-on student assignment.

Columnist Philip Potempa has authored four cookbooks and hosts a weekly radio show on WJOB 1230 AM. Contact him at [email protected] or PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.