Published on May 23, 2021
May Day History : May Day is a public holiday usually celebrated on 1 May or the first Monday of May. It is an ancient festival of spring and a current traditional spring holiday in many European cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities.
In 1889, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago. International Workers' Day is also called "May Day", but it is a different celebration from the traditional May Day
May 1 is a metonym for International Workers Day, a day of celebration of the working class. Behind it lies a history dating back over one-and-a-half centuries.
The roots of May 1 can be traced to the second part of the 19th century when there were revolutions, and organisations behind which industrial workers rallied. Countries including Germany, France, England, the US saw demand for reducing work time from 12-15 hours a day to eight hours.
The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx and Engels in 1848 had a great impact on workers across various countries that were feeling the heat of industrialisation.
Crop failure in the 1840s led to widespread anti-feudal upheavals called ‘The Revolutions of 1848’. As a result the International Workingmen’s Association, known as the First International, was born in 1864 as an umbrella association for all socialist and communist organisations, at a workers’ congregation in London.
After the First International dissolved in 1876 over an ideological rift, the Second International emerged in 1889 as a united outfit of socialist and labour parties. It was this organisation that declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day and March 8 as International Women’s Day.
Historically, an event is referred to as the origin of May 1 as Workers’ Day -- the Haymarket Affair or the Haymarket massacre. When labourers assembled at the Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4, 1886 and took out a rally for eight-hour work day, a bombing attack was mounted on them by some unknown forces. Police firing and loss of 11 lives were reported at the rally that ended in riot.
Scholar of labour studies William J. Adelman says about the Haymarket Affair: “No single event has influenced the history of labor in Illinois, the United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair. It began with a rally on May 4, 1886, but the consequences are still being felt today. Although the rally is included in American history textbooks, very few present the event accurately or point out its significance.”
As for May Day in India, the country witnessed the first celebration of Labour Day in 1923 in what was then Madras. Led by Singaravelar, leader of the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan, two meetings were held, one at Triplicane Beach and one near the Madras High Court. It was at these meetings that a resolution was passed urging the British government to declare May 1 as Labour Day and also a government holiday. It was the first occasion in India on which the red flag was used.
1) Really U have worked hard
To deliver Ur best
Now its time to relax and
Take some rest
Best wishes for 1st May.
Happy May Day..!
2) I just want to Salute
U on a special Day 4
All d hard work U do
Celebrate Workers’ Day with Joy..!
3) Let’s celebrate the labour day
They built up this great land
From field to field to desk to desk
They built it by their hand.
Happy May Day..!
4) It is for all the Labors
Today is your day,
Take the full day rest and
Enjoy one good day free
From any work load.
5) “On the 1st of May, a tribute to those who struggle daily on their offices is held. You are a person very dedicated to your work and for that I say that I wish him well. ”
6) “Work is an activity that elevates us as human beings and this must be kept in mind every day. To all my family and friends, I wish you a happy 1st of May.”
7) ” If you did not find work, do not get stressed, you will get it. If you have the joy of working, feel very lucky and do your best every day. To all of you I wish you have a happy Labor Day. ”
8) “Working tirelessly is something we do every day. So on this day I want to tell everyone to spend a nice day of work and to have lots of fun. ”
9) “Workers deserve more than a single celebration a year as there is no day in which they do not give their best. Take this opportunity to feel very proud for your hard work. Have a nice day of work! ”
10) “The most sacrificed work of all is to be a housewife. You are a woman who gives her best every day for her family. Dear friend I wish you a Happy 1st of May! ”
11) ” For the sacrifice and the effort you do every day to be a good worker, thank you for dedicating so enthusiastically to your work. Have a nice 1st of May dear Daddy! ”
12) Appreciating the hard work performed by employees will help them work harder every day and give their best on their workplace.
13) Happy workers day to all the hardworking people who contribute to make our society a better place.
14) There is dignity in labour. Be proud of what you do. Happy workers day.
15) The world is better because of all you do. I’m so proud of you. Happy Labour Day.
16) I celebrate you today for all the hard work you do. Your sweat brings food to family table. Happy workers day my love.
