History of the International Labor Day celebrated every May 1st

Posted On: May 1, 2023

KOMPAS.com – International Workers’ Day or May Day is a day to commemorate the historic struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement.

Labor Day in many countries is celebrated on May 1. In Indonesia, Labor Day is usually celebrated by gatherings of workers.

History of International Labor Day

city of historyin the 19th century, at the height of the industrial revolution, thousands of men, women and children died each year due to poor working conditions and long working hours.

In an effort to end the inhuman conditions, the Federation of Organized Trades and Unions held a convention in Chicago in 1884.

The forerunner of the American Federation of Labor proclaimed eight hours official working time, beginning May 1, 1886.

The following year, one of America’s largest labor organizations backed the proclamation. They encouraged workers to strike and demonstrate.

On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers from 13,000 companies quit their jobs across the country.

In the following days, more workers joined and the number of strikers increased by nearly 100,000.

The protests, which were peaceful, took a turn on May 3, in which police and Chicago workers clashed.

The following day, a rally was planned in Haymarket Square to protest the killing and wounding of several workers by the police.

The incident, known as the Haymarket Riot, sparked a nationwide crackdown.

May 1st is Labor Day

Freepik

Illustration of the history of the International Labor Day.

In accordance with this, reported from BritishLabor Day in many countries is celebrated every May Day.

Although in the United States (USA) and Canada, a similar celebration, known as Labor Day, is celebrated every first Monday of September.

In 1889, an international federation of socialist groups and labor unions designated May Day as a day in support of working people.

This was also done in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot which occurred in Chicago in 1886.

Five years later, US President Grover Cleveland signed into law making Labor Day, the first Monday in September, an official holiday in the United States.

The will was taken to respect the workers. It wasn’t long before Canada followed the lead of the United States.

Labor Day in several countries

KOMPAS.com/RISKA FARASONALIA

Illustration of a protest for International Labor Day which is commemorated on May 1 in front of the office of the Governor of Central Java on Saturday (21/5/2022).

In Europe, May Day was historically associated with rural pagan holidays, but the original meaning of the day has gradually been replaced by modern associations with the labor movement.

In the Soviet Union, too, leaders celebrated the holiday, believing it would encourage workers in Europe and the United States to unite against capitalism.

In Germany, Labor Day became an official holiday in 1933 after the rise of the Nazi Party.

Ironically, Germany abolished free trade unions the day after the establishment of a public holiday, nearly destroying the German labor movement.

As a result, in various countries around the world, Labor Day or May Day has been recognized as a public holiday and continues to be celebrated.

Some groups take advantage of this to organize demonstrations and rallies in support of the working class.

KOMPAS.com/Akbar Bhayu Tamtomo
Infographic: May Day Labor Day Celebration

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