El Labor Day or International Workers' Day It is a date commemorated all over the world, in vindication of workers' rights.
In many countries, the day is celebrated on May 1, in homage to the demonstrations that took place from May 1 to 4, 1886 in Chicago, demonstrations that ended with several deaths and others sentenced to death. The most important demand of these protests had to do with the 8-hour working day.
These convicts are known as the Chicago Martyrs, and thanks to them, at the Socialist Workers' Congress of the Second International, in the year 1889, the commemoration of International Labour Day was established. However, it was not until 1913 that Workers' Day was officially celebrated.
Why is Labor Day celebrated?
Labor Day or International Workers' Day is a date that is celebrated all over the world as a result of different demonstrations promoted by different types of workers who sought to improve working conditions.
In Mexico, the protests that took place in 1886 in the American city of Chicago resounded.. On May 1 of that year, workers and workers of all kinds carried out several days of demonstrations, demanding, among other things, the 8-hour workday, fair wages, freedom of expression and association, and the right to strike.
The protests led to the police intervention on May 4, in Haymarket Square, which resulted in a strong repression, with many arrested and injured, and some dead. Several of those arrested were later sentenced to death. Because of this, they were called the Chicago Martyrs.
The Chicago protests were honored in the Socialist Workers' Congress of the Second International, in the year 1889. And in 1913, the first International Workers' Day was officially celebrated. In the United States, the date is celebrated in the month of September, to separate themselves from the socialist movement of the moment.
Why is Labor Day important?
Labor Day is a very important date, because its main demand was the 8-hour working day. Before this right was instituted, the only legal basis that workers had was a law that prevented them from having to work 18 hours straight.
In Mexico there were two major demonstrations: the Strike in Cananea, Sonora, in 1906, And the Strike of Rio Blanco, Veracruz, 1907. The Cananea Strike took place from June 1 to 5, and rose up against the mining company Cananea Consolidated Copper Company and of the exploitation they imposed on their workers.
In Rio Blanco, some 2,000 employees of a textile factory rallied outside the facilities demanding the improvement of working conditions and against President Porfirio Díaz, who suppressed both protests.
The repercussions of so many years of struggle resulted in the incorporation of Article 123 of the Constitution What establishes the decent and socially useful work, and the creation of new jobs in accordance with the law.
How is Labor Day commemorated in other countries?
The commemoration of Labor Day has different connotations and has changed over the years. For many years it was an occasion for celebration, but little by little the date began to be used as a day of struggle and protest.
As explained above, in United States and Canada, the Labor Day or Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September, in an attempt to separate itself from communism and socialism, which at the time was a polarity that was deeply rooted in North American society.
In Germany, Labor Day coincides with an event called “Maibaum” or “May Tree”. This is a time when Celebrate the beginning of the month of May with the placement of a wooden structure, decorated with colored ribbons, around which people perform dances and commemorate the arrival of a warm season.
In France, Labor Day is celebrated together with another holiday called “Thrush”. La Muguet is a flower from the family of lilies, and according to French tradition, that day lilies are given as a gift to wish someone else luck.
On the other hand, in Italy A concert of great magnitude attended by people from all over the country. The concert takes place in the city of Rome and starts around 3pm until midnight the next day.
