Labor Day Concert 2011 Live Stream Washington DC

The National Symphony Orchestra performs a free Labor Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol each year, the Sunday before Labor Day.

This live feed is on Capitol Hill for the Labor Day Concert:

Labor Day Concert Live Stream Online

Event Information:

The annual concert, produced by the Kennedy Center, celebrates the beginning of the 2011–2012 performing arts season with three legends of Washington music: Sousa, Ellington, and the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown. Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 5 in 2011).

The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair, which it had been observed to commemorate. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.

Capitol Hill Webcam - Labor Day Concert 2010 Live

This annual US Labour Day concert is led by NSO Associate Conductor Emil de Cou and the event is part of the Kennedy Center's Prelude Festival, which includes free performances to kickoff the performing arts season in Washington, DC.

This live feed is on Capitol Hill during the concert:

Capitol Hill web cam

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 6 in 2010)

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 2004.