The International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, is commemorated on the first day of May every year to honour and observe the attainments of the workers.
In many countries such as India, Bangladesh, Cuba, China, Germany and many more, it is is observed as a public holiday. This day is also marked as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas (International Labour Day).
Other names of International Laour Day in India:
In India, specifically in Maharashtra and Gujarat, the International Labour Day coincides with Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day, respectively.
It is called ‘Kamgar Divas’ in Marathi, ‘Kamgar Din’ in Hindi, ‘Shromik Dibosh’ in Bengali, ‘Karmika Dinotsavam’ in Telugu, ‘Karmikara Dinacharane’ in Kannada, ‘Thozhilaali Dinam’ in Malayalam, and ‘Uzhaipalar dhinam’ in Tamil.
International Labour Day: History and significance:
Labour Day honours the hard work of people across the world and celebrates their achievements. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States in the 19th Century.
However, in the United States and Canada, Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September, honouring workers and their contribution to society.
In 1889, a body of socialist groups and trade unions, in the US designated May 1 as a day for workers. This was in rememberance of the Haymarket Riots in Chicago in 1886, when a labour protest rally turned violent after someone threw a bomb at the police. According to the history.com, ”…at least eight people died as a result of the violence that day. Despite a lack of evidence against them, eight radical labour activists were convicted.”
May 1 in Europe, has historically always been linked with rural traditional farmers’ festivals but later on May Day became associated with the modern labour movement.
The theme of International Labour Day 2021:
The theme of International Labour Day 2021 is yet to be announced. The 2020 theme was “Maintaining safety and security at the workplace”.
International Labour Day quotes:
“The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.” – Mother Teresa
“Without labour nothing prospers.” – Sophocles
“No human masterpiece has been created without great labour.” – Andre Gide
“Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having except as a result of hard work.” – Booker T. Washington
“Nothing will work unless you do” – Maya Angelou
