Published on: May 2, 2024
HISTORY OF MAY DAY
HISTORY OF MAY DAY
- Origins in Labour Movement: May Day traces its roots to the labour union movement, particularly the eight-hour day movement, which advocated for better working conditions, shorter work hours, and improved rights for workers.
- The Haymarket Affair: The association of May Day with workers’ rights gained prominence after the Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886. During a peaceful rally, a bomb exploded, leading to a violent clash between police and labour protesters. This event, marked by casualties on both sides, highlighted the struggles faced by workers and sparked a global movement for labour rights.
- International Recognition: The Second International, an organization of socialist and labour parties, declared May 1st as International Workers’ Day in 1889. This decision was aimed at advocating for the legal establishment of the eight-hour workday and addressing other class demands of the proletariat.
- Global Observance: While the United States recognized Labour Day as a federal holiday in 1894 (celebrated on the first Monday of September), many countries chose to commemorate International Workers’ Day on May 1st. This includes nations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where May Day is a significant occasion for workers’ rights demonstrations and celebrations.
- In India: May Day was first celebrated in India on May 1, 1923, following the initiative of the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. Comrade Singaravelar(Singaravelu Chettiar), a prominent leader advocating for the rights of backward classes and a key figure in the Self Respect movement, played a pivotal role in organizing the celebrations and pushing for national recognition of Labour Day as a holiday.
