International Workers' Day

International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on 1 May, or the first Monday in May.

1 May was chosen to be International Workers' Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. This is also known as Chicago movement or eight-hour day movement. In that year beginning on 1 May, there was a general strike for the eight-hour workday.

The eight-hour day movement (also known as the 40-hour week movement or the short-time movement) was a social movement to regulate the length of a working day, preventing excesses and abuses of working time.

Although, eight-hour work day has its origins in the 16th century Spain, but the modern movement dates back to the Industrial Revolution in Britain, where industrial production in large factories transformed working life. At that time, the working day could range from 10 to 16 hours, the work week was typically six days a week and the use of child labour was very common.

May Day has been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist and anarchist groups since then.

May Day is one of the most important holidays in communist countries such as China, Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and the former Soviet Union countries. May Day celebrations in these countries typically feature elaborate workforce parades, including displays of military hardware and soldiers.

With best Regards,

Dr TP Singh

(त्रिभुवन सिंह)

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