International Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st each year to honor the sacrifices of workers. It originated after the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, when police fired on striking workers killing four. In 1889, the first International Workers' Congress designated May 1st as an annual event to commemorate the Haymarket affair. While most countries observe Labor Day on May 1st, the United States and Canada hold their Labor Day celebrations in September due to the Haymarket affair influencing the establishment of an official holiday.
1. Author: Abdullah Zaheer Baig E-mail: abdullahzaheerbaig@gmail.com
International Labor Day
May 1! This is the day of a common man. Who is away from his house to work for the hunger of his
children and family. International Labor Moment simulated this day for the celebration of labors. This
day is also the traditional European Spring holiday called as May Day. Therefore, this is a national
holiday in more than 80 countries, but only in some of those countries is the public holiday officially
known as Labor Day or some similar variation.
May 1 was chosen as the date for International Labor Day by the
socialist and communist after the Haymarket affair in Chicago
that occurred on May 4, 1886. Labor Day is held in Pakistan on
May 1 every year to give tribute to workers sacrifices in
achieving economic and social rights. All government and non-
government organizations and educational institutions remain
closed at this day. Pakistan’s first labor strategy was created in
1972, in which May 1 was stated as an official holiday.
On May 4, 1886 when the workers of Chicago were on strike “for eight hour workday”, an unidentified
person threw a bomb at the police while they were trying to disperse this public assembly. In its reaction
police fired on workers and kill four people. Some reliable witnesses testified that all the flashes came
from the street where police were standing. Moreover, the initial report made no mention the firing by
civilians. The Haymarket affair is usually considered important as the beginning of international Labor
Day observances for workers. The site of the incident was designated a Chicago landmark in 1992.
This 1886 carving was the most broadly reproduced
image of the Haymarket Affair. It incorrectly shows
fielded speaking, the bomb blast, and the demonstrating
beginning simultaneously.
In 1889, the first 2nd international meeting of congress
called for the international demonstrations on the
anniversary of Chicago affair. Labor Day was recognized
as an annual event for the first time in 1891. The congress
2. Author: Abdullah Zaheer Baig E-mail: abdullahzaheerbaig@gmail.com
made it compulsory upon the blue-collar organizations of all countries to stop work on May 1, wherever
it is possible without injury to the workers. In the United States and Canada, the Labor Day holiday is in
September. A September holiday was first proposed for the United States in the 1880s, before the
Haymarket affair groups in Canada were already celebrating a Labor Day. But after the Haymarket
affair in 1887 it was established as an official holiday in September.
According to Professor William J. Adelman "No single event has influenced the history of labor in the
United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair. It began with a rally on
May 4, 1886, but the consequences are still being felt today. Although the rally is included in American
history textbooks, very few present the event accurately or point out its significance".
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