Labour Day

Labour Day is a day to honor workers and commemorate the labor movement.

The day is often marked by parades and political demonstrations focused on the rights of workers and proper working conditions.

Labour Day is observed in many places but is sometimes called International Workers’ Day or simply Workers’ Day. The U.S. holiday known as Labor Day, which also honors workers, occurs on a different date.

In many locations, Labour Day occurs on May 1, a day also observed in some places as May Day. In New Zealand, Labour Day falls on the fourth Monday in October. Different places in Australia observe Labour Day on different dates, including on May 1.

In the U.S., the day called Labor Day occurs on the first Monday in September. This same date is used in Canada, where the day is known as Labour Day.

May 1 became associated with workers and the labor movement in the late 1800s when the date was chosen to commemorate labor protests at Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886. At that time, workers went on strike to demand an eight-hour workday. In what became known as the Haymarket Riot or the Haymarket Affair, police killed several protesters, and a bomb was thrown at police. Although the person behind the bombing was never identified, some anarchist organizers were arrested and sentenced to death for the incident.

In the U.S., the holiday known as Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. May 1 had been observed in honor of workers and the labor movement prior to that time, but President Grover Cleveland is credited with promoting the move to the first Monday in September to distance the day from its anarchist and socialist origins.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Labour Day?

• Labor Day
• May Day
• labor movement
• workers
• parade
• demonstration
• protest
• march
• rights
• socialism
• anarchism
• Haymarket Square

Labour Day is often observed with marches, demonstrations, and other events focused on the rights of workers. It is sometimes called Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day. In some places, it’s synonymous with the day known as May Day.

Decent work is key to making the #SDGs a reality. On this #LabourDay, let’s remember that progress towards sustainable development requires opportunities that deliver decent jobs for all.

— Guy Ryder (@GuyRyder) May 1, 2018

May 1st International Labour Day demonstration in Madrid Spain pic.twitter.com/3MbNcwCGQ1

— Lawrence_lawmoment (@lolang) May 1, 2017

As we observe Labour Day today. Let's ensure that the backbone of our economy, the workers, are heard and well taken care of.

On Labour Day, swaraj India demands: no more discrimination and equal Pay for equal work.#LabourDay2020 | #MayDay pic.twitter.com/4K2w5Mqwg1

— Swaraj India (@_SwarajIndia) May 1, 2020

True or False?

Labour Day falls on the same day in every place where it’s observed.