Why is it celebrated on 1st May?

This Wednesday, May 1, we celebrate, like every year labour day, An anniversary of global significance. This day pays significant tribute to all the workers by recognizing their efforts and dedication. This global commemoration highlights the continuing fight labor rights and dignity in the workplace, highlighting the importance of fair working conditions.

But, Why is it celebrated only on 1st May?

Haymarket Massacre

To understand the origin of this celebration, we have to go back May 1, 1886. On this day, industrial workers went on strike in all the factories of Chicago. They demanded that it be included in ingersoll lawSigned by President Andrew Johnson in 1868, which set forth 8 hour work day For public servants, except in absolutely necessary cases.

During that time, in Illinois (the state in which the city of Chicago is located), the only labor regulation for industrial workers was one that limited the work day. more than 18 hours, According to this law, if there was no valid justification for extending the working day and the employee still had to work longer hours, the employer had to pay. $25 fine.

This strike was marked from the beginning Violence between protesters and police, However, the victims were not only the protesters, but also scabs who decided to stay away from the protests. On 3 May, a series of clashes occurred between industrial workers who had joined the strike and those who had not. The result was that a fierce war broke out Six dead and dozens injured

Scab, between protesters and police.

An anarchist pamphlet written in German, after that fateful day Chicagoan Arbeiter-Zeitungdistributed 25,000 copies of a proclamation calling on all industrial workers Haymarket Square On 4th May. The pamphlet stated: “In the face of white terror, let us respond with red terror.”, Yesterday, the women and children of the poor mourned for their murdered husbands and fathers, while in the palaces of the rich they tasted expensive wine in honor of the outlaws of order… Dry your tears, you who suffer! Take courage slaves! Rise!”.

During this day, which later came to be known as “Haymarket Massacre” someone hidden in the crowd threw it explosive device Against a group of police officers, six of them were killed and another sixty were injured. The incident sparked a wave of uncontrolled violence, culminating with the police firing indiscriminately at the protesters and arresting many of them. Overall the result of this conflict was 38 laborers died And 115 were injured.

The reaction of American society and the press to the events in Chicago was Strong condemnation of the “labor movement”, This response allowed unfair prosecution of the protest leaders, even though it could not be proven that they were the ones who threw the bombs. The trial began on June 21, 1886 31 accused8 of whom were ultimately convicted. The sentences varied: one defendant was sentenced to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment, two were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Five were sentenced to death,

Only four of them were sentenced to death on November 11, 1887 was hanged

, since Louis Ling had committed suicide the day before. Their names were Georg Engel, Adolf Fischer (who wrote the Arbeiter-Zeitung pamphlet), Albert Parsons and August Spies. The spies’ last words were prophetic: “The voice you are going to suppress will be more powerful in the future than any words I say.” In fact, the streets of Chicago collapsed on the day of the execution funeral parade In honor of those who brought together almost 25,000 people angry For events.

As time passed, a new trial examined the case and concluded that the original process it wasn’t fair, and therefore, there was no conviction. No evidence managed to link any guilty person to the May 4 explosion (Albert Parsons was not even present during the Haymarket riot). In short, it was determined that the trial that cost the lives of the Haymarket Five was a farce, the manifestation of mass rage Opened a front against communist and anarchist ideas.

Years later, in 1889, Socialist Workers Congress of the Second International, a federation of socialist, labor and anarchist parties from around the world. At this Congress it was decided that, from then on, the first day of May would be celebrated International Workers’ DayIn memory of the “Haymarket Martyrs”.

Why is May 1st not celebrated in the United States?

Although it may seem contradictory, usa, the place where the commemoration originated, does not celebrate Labor Day on May 1 like many other countries. Instead, it reminds first monday of september, This date was chosen due to the deliberate intention of the US authorities distance from socialist meaning is associated with celebrations, which often trigger demands and mobilization by unions and leftist organisations.

The choice of the first Monday of September as an alternative to celebrating Labor Day in the United States originated in a proposal presented at a meeting by a union leader. ‘Central Labor Union’ In New York City, May 8, 1882. It was written by Peter J., general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Cabinetmakers and representative of the ‘Central Labor Union’ of New York. It was McGuire who, as a general, proposed the first Monday in September. Holidays for the working classes”.

McGuire argued that this day “will most pleasant weather Nearly half the year will be between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving, and will fill a large gap in the national holiday calendar.” Thus, the Labor Holiday was first observed in this country on the first Monday of September, 1882. New York, ‘Central Labor Union ‘ and following the plans of other organizations which sought to establish a leave for workers,