“May Day” is the first day of May celebrated worldwide as a holiday in honor of working people. The day is observed all over the world in commemorating the historic struggle and sacrifice of the working people to establish an eight-hour workday along with other allied advantages. International Worker’s Day can also be referred to as “May Day”, but it is a different celebration from the traditional ‘May Day’. Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and America, the mills and factories had to work a long shift lasting fourteen or even more hours a day. On 1st May 1886, inspired by the trade unions, workers got united in a movement to realize their demands. The workers raised slogans for their recognition as men. The police fired on them. As a result, the streets of Chicago city were red with the warm blood of the workers. The Capitalists compelled to fulfill their demands. Workers today enjoy 8 hours workday, trade union facility, and so many advantages. All these privileges, the workers enjoy today are the product of that historic struggle and sacrifice. The best known modern May Day traditions, observed both in Europe and North America, include dancing around the maypole and crowning the Queen of May. Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the tradition of giving of “May baskets”, small baskets of sweets or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbor’s doorsteps. The day is so much important for the working groups. It represents inspiration, joy, and sorrow at the same time. The day is observed with due respect and solemnity to the martyred strikers.
May Day
