Explained: Why is May 1 observed as Labor Day?

Although it was initially held as a former Northern Hemisphere spring festival, on May 1 it became associated with the labor movement in the late 19th century. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Today (May 1) is May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day and Labor Day in different parts of the world. It is an occasion that commemorates the contributions of workers and the historic labor movement.

While noted as a former Northern Hemisphere spring festival, May 1 became associated with the labor movement in the late 19th century, after unions and socialist groups designated it as a day in support of workers.

It was decided to do so in memory of the Haymarket case of 1886, in Chicago, United States, in which a peaceful demonstration in support of the workers caused a violent confrontation with the police, which led to the deaths of 4 civilians and 7 policemen. officers.

Many of the agitators, protesting violations of workers’ rights, forced hours of work, poor working conditions, low wages and child labor, were arrested and served life sentences, death sentences, etc., and those who died were hailed as “Haymarket Martyrs”. The incident is believed to have given the labor movement a huge boost.

The United States recognized Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894, where it is celebrated each year on the first Monday in September. Canada soon adopted the practice as well.

In 1889, The Second International, an organization created by socialist and labor parties, declared that May 1 would be commemorated as International Workers’ Day thereafter.

Finally, in 1916, the United States began recognizing eight-hour work schedules after years of protests and uprisings.

In 1904, the International Socialist Congress in Amsterdam called on “all organizations and unions of the Social Democratic Party in all countries to demonstrate vigorously on May 1 for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace, “and made it” obligatory for proletarian organizations in all countries to stop working on May 1, whenever possible without harming the workers. “

After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the celebration was hosted by the Soviet Union and the eastern bloc nations during the Cold War, becoming a national holiday in many of them. The parades were part of the celebration: in the Red Square in Moscow the main communist leaders attended and showed the Soviet military might.

In India, May Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1923, after the Hindustan Kisan Labor Party started and Comrade Singaravelar (Singaravelu Chettiar) led the celebrations. In two meetings, one on the Triplicane beach and the second on the beach in front of the Madras High Court, the Comrade, known for being one of the leaders of the Self-Respect movement in the Madras Presidency and for his fight for the rights of backward classes, passed a resolution stating that the government should allow everyone a national holiday on Labor Day.

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