Known as International Labour Day, May 1 is dedicated to labourers and the working class. It is celebrated worldwide including India. In India, this Day is referred as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas. It is also referred as International Workers’ Day or just Worker’s Day. This is the day that when the working hours for workers restricted to eight. May 1 i.e. International Labour Day is an annual public holiday in many countries. This day dates back to 19th century. Know more about this day.
It is originated in United States. Due to industrialization, labour class was exploited by the industrialists and had been put on work upto 15 hours every day. The labour were not given any paid leaves and work break. The movement was started against industrialists.
It was first observed on 1 May, 1886 to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. In May 1986, a general strike was held demanding eight-hour workday. When the police acted to disperse a public assembly, an unidentified person threw a bomb. The police responded by firing on the workers. This led to death of many workers, civilians and labourers.
In India, it was first celebrated in the year 1923. In Chennai, Labour Kisan Party had organised the May Day celebrations. It was celebrated at two places. One was at Triplicane Beach and the other one was arranged at the beach opposite Madras High Court. In many European countries, the day is also celebrated as May Day.
On the occasion of International Labour Day, Google paid tribute through its Doodle.
