May Day

It is also known as International Worker’s day which is celebrated all over the world. On May Day, all the public and government offices, schools, and colleges remain closed. It commemorates the notorious Haymarket affair in 1886 in the US, though in India, the day came into prominence only in 1923.

May Day or Labour Day is celebrated in order to pay respect to the working class, which was once asked to work for more than 8 hours a day and was paid less. The day is exclusively dedicated to workers who should know their rights. Under no circumstance’s workers were asked to work for more than 8 hours a day. Working hours may be extended, but the extra remuneration should be paid in addition to regular wages. May Day is basically a festival for workers across the globe and it respects them. It is also a traditional northern hemisphere spring festival.

Importance of May Day in India

May day celebrates the contribution and sacrifice of workers to and for the society. In India, people started observing this day from 01 May 1923 after the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan initiated and Comrade Singaravelar helmed the celebrations. A resolution stating the government should allow everybody a national holiday on Labour Day. Since then May Day is observed annually.

Where May Day is being observed?

May Day or Labour Day or International Workers’ Day is a countrywide holiday in a majority of European nations including Sweden, France, Poland, Finland, Norway, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc. Panama, Cuba, Mexico, Guyana, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Chile also celebrate the day. In Canada, the United States of America (USA) and Australia, May Day is celebrated at various times of the year.