Where did The International Workers' Day and movement start? That's right!
Right here, in the United States. On May 1, 1886, workers, all over the United States, were on a
general strike in support of an eight-hour workday. The robber barons would not give in. Tensions rose. In Haymarket Square, in Chicago, police fired into a crowd of strikers. Several were killed. A bomb went off killing several of the police. Seven workers, who weren't even there were implicated in the killing of
the police officers and executed by hanging. An annual commemoration of the workers who were killed began around the world.
So why is the Labor Day here in the US in September and not
on May 1 as everywhere else? It was because the 24th president of
the United States Grover Cleveland feared that celebrating Labor Day on May 1
would lead to the commemoration of the riot and its victims. President Regan later tried to change the
official name of May 1, to "Law and Order" Day.
May 1 is a holiday that is officially observed in over 80
countries worldwide and unofficially observed in many other countries of the
world. It is an opportunity to reflect
on the working conditions of people, on discussing their rights, on combating
abuses like child labor on respecting the fruits of their work and thanking
them for it.
If you happen to be in Poland at this time, you are really
in luck as there is a 3 day – or more depending on the day of the week –
holiday. May 1 is Labor Day, May 2 is Flag Day and May 3 is Constitution Day.
This is a time when families get together on what is referred to as the
"majówka" (pronounced "my-OOF-ka"). A majówka is a picnic, a
barbecue party, it can also be a hiking trip out of town or participation in
any kind of numerous events organized by local communities, museums, theaters,
art and other associations.
So even though it is not officially celebrated here in the
United States, whether you work in an office as a translator, in the cab of a
waste disposal truck, or in any other type of job, celebrate! This is your holiday.
Happy Workers' Day!
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