May 1st of every year is acknowledged as International Labours day, an official public holiday in many countries all over the world as a tribute to the workers across the globe. It is also known as Workers day or May day. The origin of May day differs from country to country but the common theme is the working class taking a stand against exploitation enforced on them.
History of International Labour Day:
The First May day took place on May 1st 1890 was focused on the workers after the proclamation to dedicate May 1st as the “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity by the first International Congress of Socialist parties in Europe on July 4th 1889 in Paris, France.
Key Points:
i.Origin of May Day In the United States: In the late 19th century the Chicago’s national convention by the American Federation of Labour declared the legal eight hour working time after the protest of the Labour union on May 1, 1886, demanding to reduce the working hours from 15 hours to 8 hours and proper wages among others. During the third day of the protest many died in a bomb blast in Chicago’s Haymarket Square. To honor the dead The International Socialist declared May 1 as International Labours Day in 1889.
ii.Origin of May Day In India: The first May day was celebrated by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan(LKPH) in Madras(today’s Chennai) on May 1, 1923 and also the first time to use the Red flag as a symbol of Labours Day in India.
iii.Communist Leader Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar passed the resolution for celebrating Labours Day as a national holiday in India.
iv.The Day is associated with many labour movements by communist and socialist parties.
v.The May 1st is also known as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day from 1960 to commemorate the attainment of statehood by divided into linguistic lines from Bombay(today’s Mumbai).
vi.In Istanbul, Moscow and Taipei numerous protests and marches were conducted on May Day against the government to reduce the working hours and increase wages.
About LKPH:
All the provincial organisations including the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan renamed as Workers and Peasants Party(WPP) by 1928 into an All India Party.
Founded– May 1, 1923
Leader– Singaravelu Chettiar
Headquarters– Chennai
