May Day, or International Workers Day, is an observance that celebrates workers and falls on May 1st of each year. May Day is also a Pagan celebration of the spring that dates back to ancient times; in modern times, May Day customs like May poles and May Day baskets are traditions. The Pagan celebration on May 1 is often celebrated by Wiccans and is known as Beltane.
Each year, on May 1, workers across the world take part in protests and demonstrations for workers rights. In May 2009, some of the May Day marches turned violent in Berlin and Istanbul.BBC News: Workers March in May Day Rallies (May 1, 2009)
Workers and May Day
In the United States, May Day originated in 1886 when the U.S. Federation of Organized Trade and Labor Unions passed a law ruling that a full work day would be an eight-hour day. When business owners refused, workers went on strike and protested. At least 350,000 people took part in the original demonstration.Industrial Workers of the World: The Brief Origins of May Day
Featured Video
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
First of May was also a Pagan holiday celebrating spring
-
Fact:
On the same day as Beltane
-
Fact:
Old traditions on May Day are still observed, like the May Pole or May Day Baskets
-
Fact:
In modern times, May Day is also International Workers day or International Labor Day
-
Fact:
Marches and protests are often organized by labor unions
-
Fact:
Some may day protests focus on political issues like immigration
-
Fact:
In 2009, some May Day protests and marches turned violentBBC News: Workers March in May Day Rallies (May 1, 2009)
-
Fact:
Violence has been an increasing trend in international May Day marchesBBC News: Workers March in May Day Rallies (May 1, 2009)
