May Day 2023/International Labour Day 2023 Images, Wishes, Status, SMS, Messages.
Although May Day or International Labour Day is celebrated all around the globe, it has its roots in the United States.
May Day, also known as Worker's day or International Labour Day, is the day when the world commemorates the historical struggles of the labourers and the achievements of the labour movement.
May 1st became associated with the labour movement during the late 19th century, after trade unions and socialist groups designated it as a day in support of workers.
The day was decided in the memory of the Haymarket affair of 1886, in Chicago in the United States. When a peaceful rally in support of workers came to a violent clash with the police, leading to the deaths of 4 civilians and 7 police officers.
The Second International, an organisation created by socialist and labour parties, in 1889, declared that May 1 would be commemorated as International Workers’ Day from then on.
Another celebration that is attached to May Day origins can actually be traced back to astronomy. Also known as Celtic cross-quarter days, generally celebrates the midpoint of all the equinox and solstices of the year.
It is a day filled with dancing and singing and the doors are decorated with yellow mayflowers. There’s also the celebration of crowning a May King and Queen and setting up a Maypole around which the merry-making takes place.
May Day 2023/World International Labour Day 2023 will be celebrated on the 1st of May which is a Saturday.
When Is May Day?
May Day is mostly celebrated on the 1st of May. But in the United States and Canada, this event is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
May Day History/Labour Day History
May Day history or Labour Day History is long and varied, dating back to millennia. Around the 19th century, May Day took a more significant reason for existence since the labour movement took place then, for worker’s rights and eight hours workdays were put forth.
The Haymarket Square Riot of 1886 had its origins in labour unrest that extended back to the decades after the Civil War. American labourers were particularly concerned about issues including length of the workday and working conditions.
The American labour movement at that time was also being influenced by more radical voices. Many of these individuals believed that not only should the working conditions be improved but the entire capitalistic enterprise be smashed.
On May 3rd 1886 several workers were killed by police in a showdown at the McCormick reaper plant in Chicago.
Labour organisers called for a mass meeting and rally the following night at Haymarket Square. After one speaker, Samuel Feldon, made a particularly inflammatory statement, police moved in to shut down the rally.
As they were moving towards the stage, an unknown person tossed a bomb in their midst. In the ongoing violence, seven police officers were killed and as many as five civilians wounded. In the absence of any real aspects, authorities turned their attention to the more radical influences in the labour movement.
Despite the lack of any tangible evidence, eight men were eventually arrested and put on trial. All eight were convicted. In the end, four of those convicted were executed on November 11th 1887.
Of the three remaining who had been convicted, one committed suicide, and the other two were ultimately pardoned by the governor of Illinois due to a public backlash against the unfair way in which the defendants had been treated.
The four men who were executed in 1887 became international symbols of the struggle between capital and labour and the fight to ensure fair labour practices for all workers.
May Day/ World Labour Day was eventually embraced as Worker’s Day by a number of governments worldwide, not just the United States.
May Day History Countrywise
1. Scotland / Ireland
Beltane (an ancient Celtic fire festival), meaning- ‘day of fire’ in Celtic was celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle on May 1. The festival celebrated the transformation of seasons from winter to summer. The Celts used to believe that during the winter months, the sun was taken as a prisoner, so to welcome it back to its rightful place, they lit special bonfires.
2. Germany / Scandinavia
In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, or Hexennacht is celebrated as a second Halloween Day. There is a legend that on this particular night witches meet and celebrate the coming season with bonfires and dancing. Local german people lit up bonfires and made as much noise as possible to keep the evil spirits away.
3. Russia
May 1 is still a very important holiday in Russia and other former Soviet countries, marking the start of spring/summer and Labor Day. Countries under the influence of the Soviet Union countries put huge importance in worker's rights and to this day it is constituted as a major holiday. People take out marches against the capitalistic system or just as a celebration of unions.
4. England
May Day traditions in England are all about dancing around the Maypole. Generally, young people tie a ribbon to the pole and dance around the poles. This tradition is making a comeback in even the urban parts of England.
5. Italy
In Assisi, at the ancient festival of Calendimaggio, people traditionally dress up which includes swords and shields for the men. People also participate in various activities, including horse riding, crossbow-shooting competitions a well as the election of a Madonna Primavera (Queen of Spring). Singing competitions are also held along with a day and night processions, feasts and flower dances to welcome spring and the renewed joy of life.
6. Hawaii
May 1st known as “the official Lei Day” is when everyone wears Lei, which are traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces, and are a symbol of the aloha spirit. On Lei Day there are concerts, Lei making demonstrations, foods and drinks, and a whole lot of celebrations that take place.
7. Bulgaria
Legend has it that in Bulgaria, snakes come out of their burrows every year on March 25th and their king, or the leader comes out on May 1st, which is where the Bulgarian festival Irminden stems from. Hence there's a lingering chance of getting bit by the snakes; which is why workers take a leave to avoid such instances. Bonfires are lit to keep the snakes away and to welcome the spring and summer a celebration also takes place.
8. France
Demonstrations and parades are a common sight during a Labor Day fixture in France since 1890. There also persists an older tradition which is to give the Lily of the Valley flower to friends or family members. This particular tradition stemmed from 1561 when Charles IX presented Lily of the Valley to all ladies present at his court.
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