1st May is celebrated as Labour Day, or International worker’s day, around the world to honor the contribution, struggles and achievements of workers.
Labour Day 2025
Across industries and NationLabour Day also known as worker’s day, International worker’s day, International Labour Day or simply May Day all over the world. The May Day is celebrated on 1st of May every year all over the world, including India. It is celebrated to honour the contributions, struggles and marches demanding fair pay and better working conditions of workers around the world. In most countries, on International Labour Day, all the government offices, schools and colleges remain closed.
Why is Labour Day Celebrated?
Every year we celebrate International Workers’s day. Labour Day is a celebration for working people. On this day, the working people started the campaign for safe working conditions, fair pay and reasonable working hours (8-hour work day). The day had its roots in the late 19th-century labour movement, the protest in Chicago in 1886 (known as the Haymarket affair), where workers demanded better rights and protection.
Working people had won fundamental rights and protection. And minimum pay, on working hours, and have the right to paid holidays and sick pay have been established. But in few fast years, the working conditions have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History of May Day (International Labour Day)
In 1886, Chicago, USA more than 400,000 workers organised a massive Strike starting on 1 May 1886. The workers were demanding an 8-hour work shift. The protest continued peacefully until 4 May, after that, the police started shooting and killed several workers. On the next day more workers protested but bomb exploded at the labour rally in Haymarket Square. This tragic event is known as the Heymarket affair, which leads to the death of several workers and police officers.
In 1886, in honour of Heymarket workers International socialist declared 1 May as a Labour Day. Over time, many countries, including India, adopted 1 May as International Workers Day to celebrate workers’ rights, achievements and contributions.
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International Workers Day in India
In India, May Day or International Workers Day is called Antarashtriy Shramik Divas. It was first celebrated in Chennai (then Madras) on 1 May 1923. The day is organised by Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
How is Labour Day Celebrated
The International workers Day is celebrated as a public holiday, giving workers as a well deserved day off.
- Parade and Marches: all over the world, cities host release Matches and parades to honour workers.
- Public speeches and events: the leaders and activists give speeches on workers’ rights and current challenges.
- Cultural programs: event are celebrate with music and dance.
FAQs on International Labour Day
What is Labour Day?
Labour Day or May Day is celebrated on 1st May, also known as International Workers’s day. It is celebrated to honour workers’ struggle, achievements and rights around the world.
Why is May Day celebrated on May 1st?
The first May was chosen to commemorate the Heymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, where the workers protested for 8 8-hour workday day and most of them sacrifices their lives fighting for labour rights.
Is labour day is a public holiday everywhere?
Yes almost everywhere the International Workers Day is celebrated as a public holiday. Countries like China, India and much of Europe observe it.