May Day, also known as International Workers' Day or Workers' Day, commemorates past struggles of workers and the labor movement and is celebrated in many countries on May 1. In the US and Canada, a similar event known as Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September. It is a national holiday in many countries to celebrate workers around the world and to raise labor consciousness.
May Day 2024
May 1st, or the first Monday in May, is a public holiday in several countries, usually referred to as "International Workers' Day" or something similar. Several countries celebrate Labor Day on other days that are important to them. For this year, May Day or International Workers' Day or Labour Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
International Workers' Day 2024
Many ask Why is May 1st called International workers day. International Workers' Day is a celebration of workers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labor movement on May 1 or the first Monday in May each year. 1st May was chosen by the American Federation of Labor to remember the general strike in the United States, which began on May 1, 1886, and ended four days later at the Haymarket affair. Thereafter, this incident became an annual event.
In Europe, May Day has long been associated with rural pagan festivals, but the original meaning of the holiday has gradually been replaced by its association with the modern labor movement. Leaders in the Soviet Union embraced the new holiday in the belief that it would encourage workers in Europe and the United States to unite against capitalism.
History of May Day
In May 1886, in many parts of the United States, about 400 thousand workers went on strike, demanding eight hours of work. The strike began peacefully, but the third day of protests in Chicago was somewhat violent. Police opened fire on the unarmed workers, killing several. The following day there were more demonstrations and someone threw a bomb at the police. Seven police officers and four laborers were killed by the bomb. The bomber was never identified, but eight employees were held. Seven got the death penalty, and one was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
This event is known as The Haymarket Affair in the US, essential for organizing the urban working class. Many people denied the men's guilt and criticized the unfairness of the trial. This Haymarket incident became an international resemblance of the struggle for workers’ rights, and therefore May 1 was chosen as International Workers’ Day. On this day, socialist parties and trade unions called for workers and went on strike for eight hours a working day. The eight-hour workday was introduced in 1892 in the U.S. and became the law for public workers in the country. Since then, workers all over the world have fought and won this right.
May Day Celebrations
May Day or International Workers' Day became a public holiday in the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc countries, with huge parades in Moscow's Red Square, led by a top government and Communist Party, honoring the worker.
How to Celebrate May Day
Celebrations and demonstrations in different countries around the world take place on this day. May Day is a public holiday in South Africa, Tunisia, China, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. In several countries including Greece, Japan, France, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, protests are held on International Workers’ Day. It’s a privilege for you to
- camp for workers’ rights,
- show solidarity with other working classes,
- celebrate the positive actions of workers around the world.
Happy May Day 2024 Wishes, Messages, Greetings
Celebrate the day with your family and friends with our collection of May Day Wishes:
- Let’s make May Day a memorable occasion by being active in life and encouraging others to do the same.
- Happy May Day to all of you. Let’s celebrate the employees who work tirelessly throughout the year.
- Let’s take inspiration from hardworking people who never give up in their lives. Happy May Day!
- Happy May Day! We should never hesitate to work hard in life because it always brings success.
Happy International Workers' Day 2024 Wishes, Messages, and Greetings
Workers' Day is a day for working-class people to take a good rest from usual labor. Here is a collection of Workers' Day messages to share with them:
- Celebrating Workers' Day reminds us that there is no substitute for hard work in life and we should remember that.
- As I celebrate International Workers' Day, I extend my wishes to all the motivated and hard-working people involved.
- Let’s celebrate Workers' Day to honor all those hard-working souls working to develop our country. Happy Workers' Day!
- May your day be filled with sunshine and the joy of flowers. May the fruits of your dedication and labor add sweetness to others' lives. Happy Workers' Day!
Happy May Day 2024 Status, Captions 2023
Below is a collection of Workers' Day Statuses and captions to share on social media:
- Let’s be proud of all our efforts that make our community peaceful and prosperous. Happy May Day!
- Take my best wishes on May 1st as it is a day to celebrate your dedication and hard work that has helped our economy grow. Happy May Day!
- Wishing your life to be filled with blessings and success. Happy May Day!
- Let’s gather together to celebrate May 1 because this day is dedicated to our efforts and hard work that brings greatness and prosperity to everyone’s lives. Happy May Day!
Happy Labour Day 2024 SMS, Messages
Send your loved ones International Workers' Day wishes with our Short Messages (SMS) to celebrate workers around the world:
- You've worked hard all year to achieve all your goals. Now comes May Day to relax and enjoy!
- Let's celebrate the employees who have helped to build a brand. Without them stepping forward is impossible. Happy May Day!
- May Day is the day to enjoy the fruits of your hard labor. Wishing you a blissful Workers' Day to you!
- The world is incomplete without the help of labor that we try so hard to do the impossible. Happy May Day!
May Day Quotes
These inspirational May Day quotes will motivate your loved ones to be industrious:
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King
“Every flower must grow through dirt” –Laurie Jean Sennott
“Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don't let anyone limit your dreams.” – Donovan Bailey
“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” – Maya Angelou
“There is no substitute for hard work.” – Thomas A. Edison
International Workers' Day, often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of workers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labor movement on May 1 or the first Monday in May each year. On the other hand, traditionally this day has its celebration, the spring festival in the northern hemisphere as this is the joyous harvest season when people gather to eat, sing and dance.