Happy Labor Day!

Before we turn our attention to fall foliage and falling temperatures, let’s take a look back at some of the big stories and most memorable images of Summer 2015.

The summer season started with a roar, when the Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run arrived in Washington, DC, on May 24, 2015. The moving — and loud — annual event pays tribute to current and former US military members.

 

This is what happens when you fall for the bad boys. Prison worker Joyce Mitchell pleads guilty of helping convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Upstate New York. After a massive manhunt that captivated the nation, Matt was killed, Sweat recaptured and Mitchell was heading to divorce court.

 

In June, Jurassic World scores the third biggest opening day ever, right behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Avengers: Age of Ultron. It eventually tops $1 billion worldwide.

 

Donald Trump — billionaire builder and reality TV star — officially announces he is running for President of the United States. He has not been heard from since. Not.

 

Prayers rise up after the Charleston church shooting left nine dead at the hands of an avowed racist …

 

… and the Confederate flag comes down from in front of the South Carolina Statehouse.

 

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling not only declares same-sex ‘marriage’ legal, but equates support for natural marriage to discrimination.

 

A Planned Parenthood executive casually discussing over wine and salad the selling of fetal body parts ignites a firestorm of protest that threatens the federal funding of the abortion organization. More horrific and harrowing undercover videos from the Center for Medical Progress follow.

 

Three days after being arrested following a traffic stop altercation with a Texas trooper, Sandra Bland was found dead in her jail cell. Although video indicated nobody entered her cell and the evidence indicates she hanged herself, Bland’s death became another rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. By summer’s end, the movement was interrupting speeches by Bernie Sanders and some supporters were calling for the killing of cops.

 

In mid-July, 42nd Street finds grace! Amazing Grace opens on Broadway! The faith-based musical tells the story of John Newton, the man behind the cherished hymn. Even secular, cynical New York critics were left touched, however begrudgingly they were to admit it. How sweet the sound.

 

ISIS had been calling on the devout to attack U.S. military members. On July 16, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez answered the call, launching a terror assault on two facilities in Chattanooga. Five U.S service members were murdered. Abdulazeez was stopped dead by Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White who had disobeyed a regulation prohibiting service members from carrying a weapon at work. The Navy actually considered charging White but wisely thought better of it.

 

On August 16, the Fox News hosted the first GOP Presidential Debate. The top ten polling candidates went at it in prime time, with the action centered on Donald Trump. The Donald would end up fighting not only with his competition, but also moderator Megyn Kelly and the whole Fox News operation.

 

The prime time show was preceded by the so-called “Happy Hour Debate” featuring the remaining seven candidates. Carly Fiorina was so dominant, her jump in the polls so big, it would end up forcing CNN to change its eligibility rules for the 2nd GOP debate.

 

September 3 — Bowan County Clerk Kim Davis is hauled off to jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of her faith. No serious attempt at accommodation for her beliefs, no pause to consider the consequences to religious liberty. Only official — and public — contempt. Heading into Autumn the question is, “Who will be next?”

 

Over 11,000 gathered in Houston September 4 to say goodbye to Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth, gunned down from behind while pumping gas; executed — authorities believe — simply for wearing the uniform. Golforth is but one of several officers who were shot and killed this summer amidst hostile anti-police rhetoric. #policelivesmatter.

 

A Cincinnati Police officer stands beneath a Labor Day fireworks display as part of the city’s Riverfest celebration on the Ohio River, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, in Cincinnati. The annual end-of-summer festival culminates with Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display, which draws thousands to the banks of the river in downtown Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.

 

For all this summer’s strife and sadness, this Labor Day Weekend, we have to pause and appreciate that not all the summer’s news was bad.

After recalling all product and shutting down production, Blue Bell Ice Cream announced they would be back on shelves at the end of August.

Enjoy the holiday, and remember: Labor Day means only 108 more days until Christmas.

 

Shannon Henderson and Al Perrotta contributed to this photo essay.