International Labour Day, celebrated annually on May 1st (May Day), honors the working class and commemorates the historic fight for an eight-hour workday. Originating from the 19th-century labor movement, it is a global public holiday recognizing workers' rights, promoting fair wages, and advocating for safe working conditions.

Origins and History

The 8-Hour Movement

The day originated from the late 19th-century struggle for reasonable working hours, specifically the eight-hour labor union movement.

Haymarket Affair

(1886): May 1st was chosen to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, where a general strike for an eight-hour workday occurred.

International Recognition:

The Marxist International Socialist Congress adopted a resolution making May 1st an international day for workers.

Origins in India:

In India, Labour Day was first celebrated in 1923 in Chennai (formerly Madras), organized by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.

Labour Day is more than a holiday; it serves as a crucial reminder of the rights of the working class, ensuring their efforts are respected and fairly rewarded.