picture of the Haymarket Massacre from Wikipedia
In my history class, I was surprised to learn that International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, actually has its origins here in the United States.
Yeah. I had assumed for a long time that it was a holiday celebrated in communist countries like Cuba or the former Soviet Union.
Boy, was I surprised to learn differently.
It was the very dawning of day
when the term ‘dignity of labor’
meant something.
~ George E. McNeill
Over 100 years ago, workers had 10 to 16 hour workdays in really unsafe conditions right here in America. People died and were seriously injured on the job, which inspired Upton Sinclair to write The Jungle and our very own local hero Jack London to write The Iron Heel.
And, for this, at the end of the week,
he will carry home three dollars to his family,
being his pay at the rate of five cents per hour -
just about his proper share
of the million and three quarters of children
who are now engaged in earning
their livings in the United States.
~ Upton Sinclair
(courtesy of Occuprint)
It’s no wonder that people wanted to shorten the workday, but it wasn’t until the late 1880s that organized labor had enough support to demand an eight-hour workday. Let’s just say the employers weren’t too happy about this.
The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions held a convention in Chicago in 1884 and proclaimed that:
eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor
from and after May 1, 1886.
The next year, the FOTLU was backed by other organizations and soon there were about a quarter million workers in the Chicago area supporting the eight-hour workday.
On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers across the U.S. walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration. With each day, more and more workers walked off their jobs ~ and it was all done peacefully.
Haymarket Martyr's Memorial (courtesy of Occuprint)
Well, that is until May 3, when violence broke out between the police and strikers. It was horrible, with people being killed and wounded. This is now known as the Haymarket Massacre, and every May Day, tens of thousands of activists join together in solidarity.
The day will come when our silence
will be more powerful
than the voices you are throttling today.
~ Haymarket Monument
It’s hard to believe that people were killed so we could have an eight-hour workday and have Saturday included as part of the weekend. It’s pretty easy to take this for granted.
But each year, on May 1st, people come together so we don’t forget how people fought long and hard for the rights we enjoy today. May Day is an official holiday in 66 countries and unofficially celebrated in many more, but rarely recognized in our country.
However, this year, in the wake of Occupy Wall Street and its countless demonstrations by its off-shoots, May Day takes on an added significance as people continue voicing their desire and need for change.
(courtesy of Occuprint)
I know here in Oakland and San Francisco there are many actions scheduled to take place.
The Direct Action Working Group of the New York City General Assembly summed up May Day beautifully:
May Day is a holiday during which no traditional work is done,
and yet is a day explicitly about work.
It’s a day for recognizing that we are all workers,
whether we’re rank-and-file union members,
the precariously employed, students, or stay-at-home parents.
It’s a day to recognize the value of our work,
and the power we have to collectively change our working conditions and our world.
By simply stepping out of the systems of production that confine and alienate us,
we can transform the conditions of society itself.
May 1st is a day to explore the possibility of communities
based on mutual aid rather than exploitation and consumption.
Unlike Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day,
and pretty much every major holiday in the U.S.,
you don’t have to buy anything
and you don’t have to work feverishly in advance to celebrate May Day.
You can make it what you want it to be.
In fact, that’s really the only thing you have to do to celebrate May Day.
It’s a day for and full of human potential.
What will you make of it?
~ Direct Action Working Group of the NYC General Assembly
We cannot forget how much was sacrificed for us.
When an individual is protesting
society’s refusal to acknowledge
his dignity as a human being,
his very act of protest
confers dignity on him.
~ Bayard Rustin
I’ve been amazed that in every country I’ve lived in (except my home country, The United States) May Day is recognized and is a public holiday. I think it’s a shame that we don’t recognize the struggles sacrifices made so that we might live better lives.
From my office window, I was able to watch the protesters walking by and just had a big smile on my face. One of the women I work with said it was just a waste of time. It’s that belief system that breaks my heart ~ the place where some people are so limited and closed. That’s when I want some magic to sprinkle around so their hearts can get bigger ~ similar to the Grinch.
So glad you came by for a visit Corinne.
Interesting. Even though I’m deep in the 99%, I still went to work today… Sigh…
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I just remember May poles!
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Stupid wordpress ate my first remark. I’ll try again
Well spoken. I always think of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (even though it was in March). Have you heard Ani DiFranco’s version of “Which Side Are You On?” It’s up on Mother Jones today.
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I too went to work. It was easy though to keep in mind what May Day is all about as there were many walking in protest in the area around where I work. Remembering those who sacrificed much, including for some their lives, to allow me to work in safe conditions and have two days off to rest was always on my mind.
Ah, Maypoles ~ how fun are they! The ribbons, the multi-colors, the dance ~ perfect. Two friends remember giving flowers to their moms and grandmother on May Day, which was a sweet tradition.
So sorry your first comment was eaten by WordPress ~ some days, it’s just hungry.
I have not heard Ani DiFranco’s piece and hopefully will find it still today to listen to ~ thank you for letting me know about this. When I lived in Boston, I spent a day at a refurbished factory/museum from the 1800s and learned so much … and my heart broke reading about the conditions the people (very young and very old) worked under. Luckily, there were no fires there as with the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, but many “accidents.”
Thank you for visiting.
Definitely an interesting take on May Day. I know that the States moved the May Day celebration to Labor Day, later in the year; and that celebrations on May 1st have roots that go back hundreds of years. What gets me, though, is the abundance of people who want to work far less than 40 hours for the same pay. The hardships of our ancestors often seem lost in the comfort of our modern lives.
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what a powerful post! thanks for posting this.
yes, that’s the real meaning of May Day. International Workers Day.
have a great day!
PLUS: i love your blog!
I had no idea. This was really interesting!
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So glad you found it interesting and how cool to learn something new! Thanks for stopping by and visiting!
You just put a very big smile on my face (loving my blog) ~ the best way to start the day for sure. So very glad you came by to visit!
Your statement, “The hardships of our ancestors often seem lost in the comfort of our modern lives” is true only if we stop remembering and honoring what came before us. Taking days like May Day and remembering the struggles, the sacrifices made keeps alive how we came to be gifted with the comforts most of us enjoy now. I don’t know if you are saying that May 1st has its roots that go back hundreds of years is referencing the Celtic celebration of Beltane. Or is it the celebration of the Virgin Mary as this month is dedicated to her and there was once the tradition of leaving flowers at the doorsteps of neighbors. I would love to know if there is another celebration you are speaking of ~ I love soaking up as much as I can about our past.
Hello, I’m visiting from (FL) Girl With a New Life mingle. Would have loved to have a chance to celebrate labor day and personally witness the festivities and spirit.
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I got used to calling May Day or 1st of May ,as labor day as tribute to all in the work force which was a public holiday in my native country . Unfortunately where I am, we don’t have it.
Arni @ Design Gourmande recently posted..Reminiscing the Wine Country
There’s always next year!
Love to mingle ~ glad you do, too!
It’s such a great feeling to see people coming together (peacfully) … maybe you’ll be in the Bay Area next year and after May Day (International Workers’ Day), you can take another drive up to the wine country!?
I never knew any of this.
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Well then I’m doubly glad you stopped by!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! (Better than last one.
Your comment meant the world to me.)
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Thanks ~ I hope yours is wonderful as well!
Twitter: msbyn
says:
Wow. Your posts often remind me of how much I DON’T know!!! Even studying US History with my kids, I’d never heard about all this!! Great, informative and well written post, as usual. You rock, Patricia!
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Awwwww Byn ~ thanks for the compliments. Shucks, I’m turning red. Very glad you came by for a visit!