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48-507: The Dragon Awards were first presented in 2016, created on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Dragon Con to "recognize excellence in all things Science Fiction and Fantasy." By 2018, 11,000 voters cast a ballot, given out annually at Dragon Con in Atlanta , Georgia . A unique feature of the Awards is that it runs a diverse set of subgenera on the ballot. The finalist short list for

96-463: A Blue Girl , Bella Morte , Chick Corea , Edgar Winter , Emerald Rose, Ghost of the Robot , Godhead , Iced Earth , Voltaire , Jefferson Starship , The Misfits , GWAR , Man or Astroman? , The Bloodhound Gang , Spock's Beard , and Mindless Self Indulgence . The Dragon Con Independent Short Film Festival presents the "finest independent short films of the fantastic". Awards are distributed for

144-886: A commemoration of the Haymarket affair and would strengthen socialist and anarchist movements that backed the May 1 commemoration around the globe. In 1887, he publicly supported the September Labor Day holiday as a less inflammatory alternative, formally adopting the date as a United States federal holiday through a law that he signed in 1894. Since the mid-1950s, the United States has celebrated Loyalty Day and Law Day on May 1. Unlike Labor Day, neither are legal public holidays (in that government agencies and most businesses do not shut down to celebrate them) and therefore have remained relatively obscure. Loyalty Day

192-407: A fan-voted award "to recognize outstanding achievement in science fiction and fantasy literature, comics, gaming and filmed entertainment". The award process consists of a nomination step, where each voter can nominate one work of choice in every category, and a voting step where the nominated works are voted for to receive the award. The nominations and votes are collected electronically. Participation

240-667: A final ballot." Neither counts of nominations nor votes have ever been made public. The award process consists of two steps: The Dragon Awards have been criticized because of the appearance that the awards were created in conjunction with campaigns by the Rabid and Sad Puppies to attack the Hugo Award . Another concern raised is regarding the opaqueness of the nomination and voting process. The full list of nominees ("shortlist") can be found at List of Dragon Award nominees . The category "Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel"

288-611: A holiday for federal workers. As late as the 1930s, unions were encouraging workers to strike to make sure they got the day off. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia , and the United States territories have subsequently made Labor Day a statutory holiday. The date of May 1 (an ancient European folk holiday known as May Day ) emerged in 1886 as an alternative holiday for the celebration of labor, later becoming known as International Workers' Day . The date had its origins at

336-557: A number of categories. Dragon Con hosts a variety of gaming sessions and tournaments. These include board games , miniature games , collectible card games , console games , live action and other role-playing games, tables hosted by gaming companies, and panel sessions. In 1998, Dragon Con established the Julie Award, in honor of Julius "Julie" Schwartz , bestowed by a panel of industry professionals in honor of "universal achievement spanning multiple genres". Schwartz presented

384-887: A parade through downtown Atlanta, which ran from Centennial Olympic Park to the Marriott Marquis , and featured thousands of costumed participants. The parade is an annual event, televised by WUPA-TV and streamed online. In 2015, Dragon Con attracted some 70,000+ attendees and had a direct economic impact of $ 65 million, as reported by the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau in the Atlanta Business Chronicle . According to statistics provided by Georgia State University , Robinson College of Business , Dragon Con brought in over $ 21 million. Dragon Con routinely raises funds for designated charities. In 2005, Dragon*Con raised US$ 20,000 for

432-564: A picnic, to which participating local unions could sell tickets as a fundraiser. According to McGuire he suggested the first Monday in September as an ideal date for such a public celebration, owing to optimum weather and the date's place on the calendar, sitting midway between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving public holidays. Labor Day picnics and other public gatherings frequently featured speeches by prominent labor leaders. In 1909,

480-421: A single category in 2023. " Best Comic Book " and " Best Graphic Novel " existed as separate categories before 2023. The categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game" were combined into a single category in 2023. The categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game" were combined into

528-649: A single category in 2023. " Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game " and " Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game " existed as separate categories before 2023. The categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game" were combined into a single category in 2023. " Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game " and " Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game " existed as separate categories before 2023. Dragon Con Dragon Con (previously Dragon*Con and sometimes DragonCon )

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576-419: A variety of days on which to celebrate labor. In the United States, a September holiday called Labor Day was first proposed in the early 1880s. Alternative accounts of the event's origin exist. Descendants of two men with similar last names claim their great-grandfather was the true father of the holiday. According to one early history of Labor Day, the event originated in connection with a General Assembly of

624-607: Is a North American multigenre convention , founded in 1987, which takes place annually over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta , Georgia . As of 2017 , the convention draws attendance of over 80,000. It features hundreds of guests, encompasses five hotels in the Peachtree Center neighborhood of downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park , and runs thousands of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fan culture. It

672-481: Is formally celebrated in a few cities, while some bar associations hold Law Day events to celebrate the rule of law . Labor Day is called the "unofficial end of summer" because it marks the end of the U.S. culture's nominal summer season. Of the 7% of Americans who take two-week vacations, many take their vacations during the two weeks ending Labor Day weekend. Many fall activities, such as school and sports (particularly football ), begin about this time. In

720-810: Is freely available to everyone, without cost or requirement of membership. The finalist shortlist for the first edition of the awards was announced on August 11, 2016; the winners were announced on September 4. Additional awards include the Futura Award, paying homage to the Fritz Lang masterpiece Metropolis ; the Parsec Awards ; and the Georgia Fandom Award, renamed in 2008 as the Hank Reinhardt Award, after its first recipient . In 2002, Dragon Con began hosting

768-600: Is owned and operated by a private for-profit corporation , with the help of a 1,500-member volunteer staff. Dragon Con has hosted the 1990 Origins Game Fair and the 1995 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC). Dragon Con was launched in 1987, as a project of a local science fiction and gaming group, the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR). It was founded by a board of directors including John Bunnell, David Cody, Robert Dennis, Mike Helba, Pat Henry, and Ed Kramer . The name "Dragon" for

816-671: The Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor , which organized the first parade in New York City . In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday . By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the U.S. officially celebrated Labor Day. Canada's Labour Day is also celebrated on the first Monday of September. More than 150 other countries celebrate International Workers' Day on May 1,

864-562: The Knights of Labor convened in New York City in September 1882. In connection with this clandestine Knights assembly, a public parade of various labor organizations was held on September 5 under the auspices of the Central Labor Union (CLU) of New York. Secretary of the CLU Matthew Maguire is credited for first proposing that a national Labor Day holiday subsequently be held on the first Monday of each September in

912-530: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society . Charity efforts continued with US$ 104,000 sent to the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency in 2016, including a US$ 50,000 corporate match. In 2013, fans voted in advance to determine the charities. From 2005 through 2012, the con raised and donated almost $ 224,000. Labor Day This is an accepted version of this page Labor Day is a federal holiday in

960-602: The National Hot Rod Association hold their finals of the NHRA U.S. Nationals drag race that weekend. Labor Day is the middle point between weeks one and two of the U.S. Open tennis championships , held in Flushing Meadows , New York. In fashion, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day when it is acceptable to wear white or seersucker . The source of the tradition lies in part with

1008-554: The 1885 convention of the American Federation of Labor, which passed a resolution calling for adoption of the eight-hour day effective May 1, 1886. While negotiation was envisioned for achievement of the shortened work day, use of the strike to enforce this demand was recognized, with May 1 advocated as a date for coordinated strike action. The proximity of the date to the bloody Haymarket affair of May 4, 1886, further accentuated May First's radical reputation. There

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1056-467: The American Federation of Labor convention designated the Sunday preceding Labor Day as "Labor Sunday", to be dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. This secondary date failed to gain significant traction in popular culture, although some churches continue to acknowledge it. The popularity of the event spread across the country. In 1887, Oregon became the first state of

1104-532: The Dragon Con parade would only be open to those who hold badges. Some of the virtual features from 2020 would also be maintained, including a "virtual marketplace", and streaming content (including free content and a paid " DragonConTV " streaming membership). On August 17, it was also announced that all attendees must present proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative test from within the past 72 hours in order to claim their badges. As of 2008, Dragon Con

1152-606: The European holiday of May Day . May Day was chosen by the Second International of socialist and communist parties to commemorate the general labor strike in the United States and events leading to the Haymarket affair , which occurred in Chicago, Illinois , from May 1 – May 4, 1886. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, diverse groups of trade unionists chose

1200-570: The Pierremont Plaza Hotel, drew 1400 fans, and featured Guest of Honor Michael Moorcock , Lynn Abbey and Robert Asprin , Robert Adams , Ultima creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott , co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons Gary Gygax and Toastmaster Brad Strickland . Miramar recording artist Jonn Serrie delivered his keyboard arrangements from within a real NASA flightsuit and Michael Moorcock performed onstage with Blue Öyster Cult 's Eric Bloom , singing " Veteran of

1248-505: The Psychic Wars " and " Black Blade ". Thomas E. Fuller's Atlanta Radio Theatre Company performed H. P. Lovecraft 's Call of Cthulhu , which was broadcast via radio live from onsite. The 1988 convention included guests Alan Dean Foster , Fred Saberhagen , Margaret Weis , Tracy Hickman , Gary Gygax , and Larry Elmore . The convention grew rapidly. In 1989, it drew 2,400 fans (many to see Guest of Honor Anne McCaffrey ), and

1296-805: The Rings , British and American science fiction television, dark fantasy, the Dragon Con Independent Short Film Festival, and general programming which specific Guests of Honor attend (e.g., Clive Barker 's Lost Souls and Storm Constantine 's Grissecon ). As of 2017, Dragon Con is a five-day event, beginning the Thursday before Labor Day. From its origin, music has also been a significant feature of Dragon Con, with performances by groups and artists such as Abney Park , Blue Öyster Cult , The Crüxshadows , Celldweller , Ego Likeness , I:Scintilla , Black Tape for

1344-464: The United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States . Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. "Labor Day" was promoted by

1392-546: The United States to make Labor Day an official public holiday . By 1894, thirty U.S. states were already officially celebrating Labor Day. In that year, shortly after the Pullman Strike , the Congress passed a bill recognizing the first Monday of September as Labor Day and making it an official federal holiday . President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law on June 28. The federal law, however, only made it

1440-666: The United States, many school districts resume classes around the Labor Day holiday weekend (see First day of school ). Some begin the week before, making Labor Day weekend the first three-day weekend of the school calendar, while others return the Tuesday following Labor Day. Many districts across the Midwest are opting to begin school after Labor Day. In the U.S. state of Virginia , the amusement park industry has successfully lobbied for legislation requiring most school districts in

1488-543: The aftermath of this successful public demonstration. An alternative theory maintains that the idea of Labor Day was the brainchild of Peter J. McGuire , a vice president of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions , which was a predecessor of the American Federation of Labor . After a visit to Toronto where he saw parades celebrating labor that May, had put forward the initial proposal in

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1536-408: The award each year prior to his death in early 2004. The inaugural recipient was Ray Bradbury ; additional recipients of the award include Forrest Ackerman , Yoshitaka Amano , Alice Cooper , Will Eisner , Harlan Ellison , Neil Gaiman , Carmine Infantino , Anne McCaffrey , Jim Steranko , Peter David , and Paul Dini . In March 2016, Dragon Con announced the introduction of " Dragon Awards ",

1584-567: The club was derived from Kramer's Dragon Computer , which hosted a local Bulletin Board System ("The Dragon") that initially served as a central hub for both organizations. The inaugural Dragon*Con flyers debuted at the 1986 Atlanta Worldcon , ConFederation . Within a year, Dragon*Con had been selected to be the host of the 1990 Origins convention, to take place at the Atlanta Hilton. The 1987 inaugural Dragon*Con took place at

1632-663: The convention's 20th anniversary in 2007, there were 22,000 attendees, and the convention continued to grow, drawing 40,000 attendees in 2010, 57,000 in 2013, and over 80,000 in 2017. On July 6, 2020, it was announced that Dragon Con had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic , with a virtual event being organized in its place on the original dates. The event announced that it would return for 2021 with enhanced health and safety protocols; it would be capped at around 40,000 attendees, badges would only be sold online and not on-site, masks would be mandatory within indoor spaces, and

1680-450: The convention, but still owned 34% of the company. In 2011, Kramer sued the organizers, leveling charges that he was not receiving his fair share of the con's profits. Kramer's relationship with the convention was fully severed in July 2013 in a cash-out merger, at which point the name of the convention and business officially changed to "Dragon Con" (replacing the asterisk with a space). At

1728-593: The event had moved to the Omni Hotel and Convention Center. In 1990, the convention had doubled again, added a Comics Expo, hosted the Origins convention, this time with Guest of Honor Tom Clancy , and expanded to include the Atlanta Sheraton hotel. In 1991 the first "Robot Battles" robotic competition event was added to the list of Dragon*Con events, making it the second oldest robotic competition event in

1776-487: The first Dragon Awards was announced on August 11, 2016, and the winners were announced on September 4 that year. In 2017, nominated authors Allison Littlewood , John Scalzi , and N. K. Jemisin asked Dragon Con to remove their names from the ballot; John Scalzi subsequently reconsidered and remained in the contest. However, the coordinators of the Dragon Awards initially refused to remove other authors' names from

1824-795: The holiday. One reason given for this timing was to allow time for schoolchildren to show 4-H projects at the Fair. In U.S. sports, Labor Day weekend marks the beginning of many fall sports. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams usually play their first games that weekend, and the National Football League (NFL) traditionally play their kickoff game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race has been held on Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina from 1950 to 2003 and since 2015. At Indianapolis Raceway Park ,

1872-472: The migration of wealthy 19th century New Yorkers back from their summer-home Newport Mansions and accompanying change back from summer clothes. The traditional last day to wear straw hats moved from around Labor Day (September 1) to September 15. In 1922, the Straw Hat Riot broke out due to gangs snatching the hats of men violating this rule in New York City. The unofficial beginning of summer, and

1920-411: The right to invalidate suspect or questionable ballots without notice," and that "All decisions regarding the voting process and selection of winners shall be made by DRAGON CON in its sole discretion, shall be final, and shall not be subject to challenge or appeal." Language describing the review of nominations does not state that nominations are counted numerically but are "gathered and reviewed to create

1968-414: The running, which generated criticism across blogs and science fiction related publications, ultimately leading the organizers to comply with nominee wishes when they desire to abstain. The nominations and votes are collected electronically. Participation is available to everyone, requiring only an e-mail address, but no membership or other fees, to vote. The Dragon Awards website states that they "[reserve]

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2016-401: The spring of 1882. According to McGuire, on May 8, 1882, he made a proposition to the fledgling Central Labor Union in New York City that a day be set aside for a "general holiday for the laboring classes". According to McGuire he further recommended that the event should begin with a street parade as a public demonstration of organized labor's solidarity and strength, with the march followed by

2064-458: The state to have their first day of school after Labor Day, in order to give families another weekend to visit amusement parks in the state. The relevant statute has been nicknamed the " Kings Dominion law" after one such park. This law was repealed in 2019. In the U.S. state of Minnesota , the State Fair ends on Labor Day. Under state law, public schools normally do not begin until after

2112-829: The summer fashion season in the United States, is Memorial Day . In the 2020s, some people have approved of wearing white year-round. There are numerous events and activities organized in major cities. For example, New York offers the Labor Day Carnival , and fireworks over Coney Island. In Washington, one popular event is the Labor Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol featuring the National Symphony Orchestra with free attendance. To take advantage of large numbers of potential customers with time to shop, Labor Day has become an important weekend for discounts and allowances by many retailers in

2160-754: The world. In 1993, Dragon*Con was the home of the Wizard Fan Awards . By 1995, when Dragon*Con hosted the North American Science Fiction Convention , attendance had grown to over 14,000 fans, and Dragon*Con was also hosting the International Starfleet Conference . In 1999, Dragon*Con's TrekTrak introduced the first Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant, an annual event that has since garnered national media attention. In 2000, Ed Kramer ceased to have an active role in managing

2208-626: Was a four-day event comprising approximately 3500 hours of panels, seminars, demonstrations, and workshops, with over 30 specialized programming tracks that include writing , alternate history , art , anime , gaming , science fiction and fantasy literature, comic books , costuming , space, science , online media , independent film , podcasting , Asian cinema and culture, robotics , filk , scientific skepticism , Star Trek , Star Wars , Military Scifi Media , X-Files , apocalyptic themes, Anne McCaffrey 's Pern , Robert Jordan 's Wheel of Time , J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of

2256-399: Was disagreement among labor unions at this time about when a holiday celebrating workers should be, with some advocating for continued emphasis of the September march-and-picnic date while others sought the designation of the more politically charged date of May 1. Conservative Democratic President Grover Cleveland was one of those concerned that a labor holiday on May 1 would tend to become

2304-478: Was removed from the awards in 2023. The category "Best Apocalyptic Novel" was removed from the awards in 2018. The category "Best Media Tie-In Novel" was first introduced in 2018 and removed from the awards in 2023. The category "Best Illustrative Cover" was first introduced in 2023. The categories "Best Comic Book" and "Best Graphic Novel" were combined into a single category in 2023. The categories "Best Comic Book" and "Best Graphic Novel" were combined into

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