International Labour Day is celebrated every year on 1 May
to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of the workers' and labours'
movement. It is also known as May Day.
International Labour Day is celebrated in more than 80
countries, including India, Cuba, and China. People in different parts of the
world hold marches on this day to promote the rights of working-class people
and to protect them from exploitation.
History:
The tradition of Labour Day dates back to 19th century America. On May 1st, 1886 workers in Chicago organized a strike to demand an eight-hour workday. However, workers across the US came together to demand their rights and to fight for better working conditions after a bomb exploded at a labour rally in Haymarket Square.
In 1889, the International congress of socialist parties met
in Paris and decided to celebrate Labour Day or Worker's Day on May 1.
India connection:
The first labour day was celebrated in India on May 1, 1923,
in Chennai. The first May Day celebrations were organized by the Labour Kisan
Party of Hindustan. The leader of the party, Comrade Singaravelar
arranged two meetings to celebrate this occasion.
Labour Day is celebrated by many different names in the various Indian states with most popular name being May Day. Labour Day is known as Kamgar Din in Hindi, Karmikara Dinacharane in Kannada, Karmika Dinotsavam in Telugu, Kamgar Divas in Marathi, Uzhaipalar Dhinam in Tamil, Thozhilaali Dinam in Malayalam, and Shromik Dibosh in Bengali.
Significance:
Labour Day is celebrated around the world to raise awareness
of the rights of working people and to protect them from exploitation. It also
serves as a reminder of the important role played by the working class in our
society.