U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers rushed to the capital just a day later.

CNN: COVER STORY - SPECIAL REPORT

At least in Washington it was a glorious bright and sunny autumn day, hotter than most British summers.

BBC: Elections help Obama. A bit.

Ryan's mother, Carol Duffin, was so angered by the early start which she says has been creeping earlier in her district for years she launched "Save Tennessee Summers" seven years ago and lobbied state lawmakers unsuccessfully for legislation barring a pre-Labor Day first bell.

WSJ: School in August Gets Low Grades