May Day, celebrated on May 1st, has a rich and varied history that blends ancient traditions with modern political significance. Originally rooted in pre-Christian agricultural festivals, such as the Celtic Beltane, opens a new window, it marked the arrival of spring with rituals celebrating fertility, renewal, and the blossoming of life. In the 19th century, May Day took on a new meaning as it became associated with the labor movement, particularly the fight for the eight-hour workday. The pivotal moment came in 1886 with the Haymarket affair, opens a new window in Chicago, where a peaceful rally for labor rights turned violent, leading to the deaths of several people and the eventual designation of May 1st as International Workers' Day, opens a new window. Today, May Day is observed worldwide both as a celebration of spring and as a day of protest and solidarity among workers advocating for labor rights and social justice.
May Day is not a national holiday in the United States. While May 1st is recognized internationally as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day in many countries, the U.S. observes Labor Day, opens a new window on the first Monday of September. The U.S. government intentionally distanced itself from the May 1st association due to its connection with socialist and communist movements, especially after the Haymarket affair. However, May 1st is still informally observed by some labor groups and activists in the U.S. through rallies and demonstrations.
Incomplete, True, Authentic, and Wonderful History of May Day
May Day : A short history of the international workers' holiday
Add a comment to: May Day