May 1 - International Workers' Day: All You Need To Know

It is a public holiday in over 80 countries.

May 1 each year is observed as International Workers' Day (also known as International Labor Day or May Day) across the world. The occasion's main objective is to celebrate the contributions of workers to society and to empower them to understand their rights. Moreover, it marks the anniversary of the Haymarket riots and pays tribute to all those people who lost their lives there.

It is one of the most important holidays in communist countries such as China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, North Korea, and the former Soviet Union countries.

Notably, the United States and Canada celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September.

A Brief History

In 1856, stonemasons in Victoria, Australia announced a strike as part of their demand of an 8-hour workday. This strike became a yearly commemoration and inspired many American workers to demand the same. On May 1, 1886, workers in the United States announced a general strike against a 16-hour workday, and demanded an 8-hour workday. The protests continued for a long and ended as the Haymarket riots in which thousands of workers were killed or left wounded by the police.

In 1889, the Marxist International Socialist Congress adopted a resolution for a "great international demonstration" to support the workers' demands for an eight-hour workday. In 1891, International Workers' Day was formally recognized at the annual event of the International's second congress.

Marxist theorist Rosa Luxemburg wrote in 1894, "As long as the struggle of the workers against the bourgeoisie and the ruling class continues, as long as all demands are not met, May Day will be the yearly expression of these demands. And, when better days dawn, when the working class of the world has won its deliverance then too humanity will probably celebrate May Day in honor of the bitter struggles and the many sufferings of the past."

About The Celebrations

On this day, workers of different industries and sectors get a rest from their usual labor.

There are seminars, parades, and rallies around the world to spread knowledge among workers about their rights. Also, many workers celebrate the day with picnics, barbecues, and other public gatherings.

The First Labor Day Celebration in India

In India, the first Labor Day was celebrated on May 1, 1923, in Madras (present-day Chennai). It was organized by the Labor Kisan Party of Hindustan.