Labour Day, also known as May Day, or International Workers’ Day, is celebrated all over the globe on the first of May every year. It is a day to give honor to the struggles of workers and recognize their rights. The day is a reminder of the struggle of laborers and the quest to find good working conditions.
The roots of Labour Day trace back to the late 19th century, when workers in the United States fought for an eight-hour workday. On May 1, 1886, thousands of workers staged a peaceful strike, demanding better working conditions. However, the protest turned violent during the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a bomb explosion led to casualties among both police officers and civilians.
Significance of Labour Day
Labour Day is not a holiday but a symbol of the fight and victory of the labor movement. It is an observation of the necessity for equal wages, decent working conditions, and workers’ rights. It has evolved over time into an international phenomenon where rallies, orations, and demonstrations are being made in favor of labor rights.
In India, Labour Day was first celebrated in Chennai in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. It has since been celebrated all over the country, and some states have even made it a public holiday. Seminars, rallies, and awareness drives are held on the day, during which workers are informed about their rights and social justice.
How Labour Day is Celebrated Around the Globe
Different nations observe Labour Day in their own unique manners:
United States & Canada: Observed on the first Monday of September, rather than May 1.
China & Russia: Organized mass parades and events sponsored by the government.
India & Europe: Public rallies, speeches, and awareness programs.
Labor Day is still a reminder of everything workers endured to gain fair treatment as well as better working conditions. It is still a day of solidarity, activism, as well as thanking working people worldwide. In a constantly evolving industry, fighting for workers’ rights is a cause as valid today as it has ever been.
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