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TL;DR: International Labor Day on May 1 originated from the 1886 Chicago workers' strike demanding an 8-hour workday. In 1889, the Second International's First Congress designated May 1 as a day to demonstrate the proletariat's strength. In Vietnam, since 1930, May 1 has become a peak day of struggle and a festival for working people.
What is the origin of International Labor Day May 1?
International Labor Day on May 1 originated from the struggle of American workers in the late 19th century. In 1886, in the major industrial city of Chicago, the American Federation of Labor Congress passed a resolution stating: "... From May 1, 1886, the working day for all workers shall be 8 hours."
The reason May 1 was chosen is that it was the start of the accounting year in most factories and enterprises in the US. On this day, new contracts between workers and employers would be signed. Capitalist employers could know in advance the workers' decisions and could not find excuses to refuse.
On May 1, 1886, because the workers' demands were not fully met, workers across the United States went on strike to pressure employers to fulfill their demands. The first strike was in Chicago. About 40,000 people did not go to factories. They held rallies and demonstrations with the slogan: "From today no worker shall work more than 8 hours a day! We demand 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, 8 hours of recreation!" The struggle attracted more and more participants.
From national movement to international holiday
On June 20, 1889, the First Congress of the Second International decided to designate May 1 every year as a day to demonstrate strength and common struggle of the proletariat. On May 1, 1890, International Labor Day was first organized on a global scale.
In 1920, with Lenin's approval, the Soviet Union (former) was the first country to allow its people to take a day off on International Labor Day May 1.
What does the Lily of the Valley symbolize?
The symbolic flower of this day is the lily of the valley. On May 1, 1891, a workers' protest took place in northern France. 10 people were shot dead, including Marie Blindeau, who was wearing a pure white outfit. To commemorate, the French took the lily of the valley, a small white, fragrant flower that blooms on the first day of May, as the symbol of May 1.
Key milestones in the history of International Labor Day May 1 according to the article.
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1886 | The American Federation of Labor congress passed a resolution on the 8-hour workday | Chicago, USA |
| 1/5/1886 | About 40,000 people went on strike, held rallies, and demonstrated demanding an 8-hour workday | Chicago |
| 20/6/1889 | The First Congress of the Second International decided to make May 1 every year a common day of struggle | |
| 1/5/1890 | For the first time, International Labor Day May 1 was organized on a global scale | |
| 1/5/1891 | A workers' demonstration, 10 people were shot dead, including Marie Blindeau | northern France |
| 1920 | The Soviet Union was the first country to allow people to take the day off on May 1 | Soviet Union |
| 1930 | The Vietnamese working class took May 1 as the peak day of the struggle movement | Vietnam |
What does International Labor Day May 1 mean?
May 1 is seen as a day to celebrate achieved victories, express determination to complete new tasks, and show solidarity with workers in other countries. May 1 is also a day to honor the labor force, struggle for peace, democracy, and social progress.
Today, International Labor Day May 1 is a festival for the working class and working people in our country, a day of solidarity with the working class and oppressed peoples around the world in the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress.
How is International Labor Day celebrated in Vietnam?
In our country, after the Indochinese Communist Party was founded (1930), the Vietnamese working class took May 1 every year as the peak day of the struggle against colonialism and imperialism, for independence, freedom, democracy, and economic and social rights.
Today, International Labor Day May 1 has become a festival for the working people of Vietnam, a day expressing solidarity and friendship with the working class and working people worldwide.
