Images of the Labor Day weekend from Washington DC

Monday September 2 is Labor Day and the last holiday weekend of the American summer.

With perfect weather, people are playing volleyball on Pennsylvania Avenue, riding the tourist bus around the city, visiting museums and memorials, kayaking on the Potomac, and enjoying the parks and gardens.

The World War II memorial, with its cooling water fountains was popular with families. It commemorates the sacrifices of more than 40,000 who served in the US armed forces. It was open to the public in 2004 and is located on 17^th Street near the Reflecting Pool. Between the Pacific pillar and the Atlantic pillar is a pool and fountains, with a spectacular view of the Lincoln Memorial.

The Labor Day weekend unofficially marks the end of summer so people make the best use of their time off work. USA Today (August 30, 2013) reports that 34.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their home on the holiday period—a 43% increase over last year. Of these vacationers, 29.2% will travel by car—a 4.3% increase on 2012. The busiest day for outbound travel is Friday, when 46% start their travels, even though it is typically a work day.

The return trip on Monday will hit a peak, although 42% of vacationers will travel home on Tuesday or later.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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