The origins of International Labor Day are found in Chicago, where on May 1, 1886, workers called for a strike for an eight-hour workday.
On May 4, violence broke out in Haymarket Square when a bomb was thrown at police officers. The resulting gunfire resulted in several deaths, including six officers and a number of civilians.
This turning point stimulated trade unions and socialist federations across Europe to declare May 1 an international day of workers" solidarity, formally approved in 1889 at the Paris meeting of the Second International.
Which is why USA celebrates labor day in September so they can pretend like this didn’t happen.
Don’t worry, soon it’ll be called CEO Day and it’ll only be a federal holiday if you buy a special pass.
Maifestspiele roughly 100 years later.
👋 We have a day off tomorrow, May 1st. The funny thing in Finland is that it’s completely secularised. I’m sure deep inside it’s still Labor Day, but for the people it’s a celebration of spring, often the first time to have a group picnic, some costumes, etc. Bit of a Carnival. The cities have students doing silly stuff.
We celebrate Labour Day in Australia, but on different days since we have a large 4 day block of public holidays over Easter with ANZAC Day the following week.
In Western Australia it’s the 1st Monday of March.
In Victoria and Tasmania it’s the 2nd Monday of March
In South Australia, New South Wales and ACT is the 1st Monday of October
