Every Year on May 1, many countries around the world celebrate International Labour Day, also called International Worker’s Day. It’s a day to thank and honour workers for their hard work in all kinds of jobs.
This day is not just about celebration, it also reminds us how important it is to protect workers’ rights and make sure jobs are fair and safe.
In many places, Labour Day is a public holiday. People often take part in events and campaigns to help make workplaces better and support fair treatment for all workers. This shows how important workers are to the growth of our communities and economies.
Labour Day’s Origin
International Labour Day started because of a workers’ movement in the United States in the late 1800s. On May 1, 1886, many workers went on strike to ask for shorter working hours, just eight hours a day.
In Chicago, a peaceful protest turned violent when someone threw a bomb at the police. The event, known as the Haymarket Affair, led to the deaths of seven police officers and at least four other people.
Even though it was a sad event, the Haymarket Affair became an important symbol of the fight for workers’ rights. It helped make May 1 a special day to support and stand with workers around the world.
Lesser-Known Facts About Labour Day
-Even though Labour Day started because of events in the United States, both the US and Canada celebrated it on the first Monday of September, not on May 1.
-May Day (another name for Labour Day) is celebrated in more than 80 countries around the world.
-In India, the first Labour Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai by a group called the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
-May 1 is also special in India because it marks the day Maharashtra and Gujarat became separate states in 1960
-Canada held its first Labour Day in 1872, even before the United States made it official.
Labour Day is not only a time to celebrate workers and their hard work, but also a reminder that we must keep standing up for fair treatment, safety, and respect for workers everywhere.
