Workers’ Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day, is a day that celebrates the contributions and struggles of working people around the world. It is observed on May 1st each year and is recognized as a public holiday in many countries. This day has a rich history that dates back more than a century and has its roots in the labor movement.
The history of Workers’ Day can be traced back to the late 19th century when the industrial revolution was taking place in Europe and North America. At this time, workers were facing a host of issues such as low wages, long working hours, unsafe working conditions, and lack of job security. In response to these conditions, workers began to organize themselves into trade unions and form movements to demand better working conditions and higher wages.
One of the earliest efforts to create an international labor movement came in the form of the International Workingmen’s Association, also known as the First International. This organization was founded in 1864 and consisted of socialists, anarchists, and trade unionists from various countries. The First International advocated for the rights of workers and called for an eight-hour workday, which was a radical idea at the time.
In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, which later became the American Federation of Labor (AFL), adopted a resolution calling for an eight-hour workday to be implemented by May 1st, 1886. This call was taken up by workers across the United States, who began organizing rallies and demonstrations to demand better working conditions and the implementation of the eight-hour workday.
On May 1st, 1886, workers across the United States went on strike to demand the implementation of the eight-hour workday. This was known as the Haymarket Affair and led to a series of violent clashes between workers and law enforcement. Despite the violence, the struggle for the eight-hour workday continued and eventually led to its implementation.
Following the Haymarket Affair, May 1st became a symbol of workers’ struggle and solidarity around the world. In 1889, the Second International, an organization of socialist and labor parties from around the world, declared May 1st as International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket Affair and to promote workers’ rights and interests.
Today, Workers’ Day is observed in many countries around the world, often with rallies, marches, and demonstrations to highlight the contributions of workers and to demand better working conditions, fair wages, and social justice.