This is a short summary of the origins of May Day, from the TUC:
Today is May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day
It commemorates workers’ struggles which began in the nineteenth century.
In the late 1800s, workers in parts of the US began campaigning against harsh working conditions
Back then, 16-hour days in unsafe environments were common
In May 1886, huge strikes gripped the city of Chicago
Thousands of workers took to the streets to demand an 8-hour working day
Protests were repressed by police in what became known as the Haymarket Affair
7 union leaders were convicted of conspiracy, 4 were later executed
The Haymarket Affair marked the start of a shift in labour relations in the US
The 8-hour day was adopted in the printing, construction and railway industries.
It eventually became law across the US in 1937
May 1st is now a national holiday in 66 countries.
It’s a day to remember the struggles for dignity and justice at work that have gone before
And that the fight to improve the lives of working people continues today
For other articles on May Day in Left Horizons, follow this link.
