Public holidays are simply indescribable. Everyone knows exactly when they are and everyone looks forward to them. Don't miss the opportunity to sleep more, to relax and to enjoy your free-time and yourself, as one of the most well-known public holiday is approaching. May Day occurs on the 1st of May and refers to several public holidays. In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, a day of political demonstrations and celebrations organised by the unions, anarchist, and socialist groups. This public holiday is celebrated in most of the countries all over the world. So, celebrate your rights by taking some time for yourself!
How it all began? In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places. In addition, at that time socialism was a new and attractive idea to working people, many of whom were drawn to its ideology of working class control. A century ago, on May 1, 1886, a general strike broke across the United States. Within days it would culminate in the events forever associated with the name Haymarket. In 1889 the founding congress of a new, second, Marxist International named that day, May Day, for worldwide actions of the proletariat.
The five-day 40-hour week was achieved almost a century later in 1948. Today the Labour Day march is a celebration of organised labour's achievements on behalf of the worker. For those, who are working it is important to note the difference the day initially made to the general treatment and well-being of the working class and where the working class would be if the day had never come about at all. A memorial statue with the numerals 888, representing 8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation, and 8 hours of rest, sits on the corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Parade in Melbourne, Australia to this day. No without a reason it is said that the international Labour Day truly is a milestone in history.
There are always a lot of things happening on the 1st of May. Take a chance to take a look at various parades, celebration concerts and ceremonies. Discover the various traditions and customs related with Labour Day. Experience what is all about. For example, in some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. Take a chance to discover the diversity!
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