The International Workers’ Day or Labor Day is observed globally on May 1 to celebrate the accomplishments of workers.

On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration in history.

Significance of International Workers’ Day

In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in a constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many workplaces.

On May 1 of 1886, Chicago, along with other cities was the site of a major union demonstration in support of the eight-hour workday. The Chicago protests were meant to be part of several days of action. On May 3, a strike at the McCormick Reaper plant in the city turned violent; the next day, a peaceful meeting at Haymarket Square became even more so.

In 1889, the International Socialist Conference declared that, in commemoration of the Haymarket affair, May 1 would be an international holiday for labor.

In different parts of the world, the day is celebrated in many forms. In parts of the world, it is marked as Labour Day. In some parts of the world, it is known as International Workers’ Day, whereas in many European countries it is celebrated as May Day too.

-Sangam Sowmya