dear friends I wish all the workers a happy and a prosperous workers
day on today 1st may 2011.
I would like to remember and give informations about workers days
celebration in different countries.
International Workers' Day
Official name International Workers' Day
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Americas
2.1 Argentina
2.2 Brazil
2.3 Canada
2.4 United States
3 Asia
3.1 Bangladesh
3.2 China
3.3 India
3.4 Japan
3.5 Jordan
3.6 Malaysia
3.7 Maldives
3.8 Nepal
3.9 Singapore
3.10 Philippines
4 Europe
4.1 Eastern bloc under Communist governments
4.2 Germany
4.3 Sweden
4.4 Portugal
4.5 Spain
4.6 Serbia
4.7 Greece
4.8 Italy
4.9 Russia
4.10 United Kingdom
5 Africa
5.1 Egypt
Also called May Day
Observed by working people and their labour unions
Date May 1
Celebrations organized street demonstrations and street marches
Related to May Day, Labor Day, various other Labour Days
Swedish Social Democratic Party at May Day demonstration in Stockholm,
Sweden in 2006. The party has dominated Swedish politics for nearly a
century. The Trade union palace in Stockholm is seen at the end of the
pictureInternational Workers' Day (also known as May Day) is a
celebration of the international labour movement and left-wing
movements. It commonly sees organized street demonstrations and
marches by working people and their labour unions throughout most of
the world. May 1 is a national holiday in more than 80 countries. It
is also celebrated unofficially in many other countries.
[edit] History
International Workers' Day is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket
Massacre in Chicago, when, after an unknown person threw a dynamite
bomb at police as they dispersed a public meeting, Chicago police
fired on workers during a general strike for the eight hour workday,
killing several demonstrators and resulting in the deaths of several
police officers, largely from friendly fire. In 1889, the first
congress of the Second International, meeting in Paris for the
centennial of the French Revolution and the Exposition Universelle,
following a proposal by Raymond Lavigne, called for international
demonstrations on the 1890 anniversary of the Chicago protests. May
Day was formally recognized as an annual event at the International's
second congress in 1891.
Subsequently, the May Day Riots of 1894 occured. In 1904, the
International Socialist Conference meeting in Amsterdam called on "all
Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all
countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal
establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the
proletariat, and for universal peace." The congress made it "mandatory
upon the proletarian organizations of all countries to stop work on
May 1, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers."[5]
In many countries, the working classes sought to make May Day an
official holiday, and their efforts largely succeeded. May Day has
long been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist,
communist and anarchist groups. In some circles, bonfires are lit in
commemoration of the Haymarket martyrs, usually at dawn.[6] May Day
has been an important official holiday in Communist countries such as
the People's Republic of China, Cuba and the former Soviet Union. May
Day celebrations typically feature elaborate popular and military
parades in these countries.
In the United States and Canada, however, the official holiday for
workers is Labor Day in September. This day was promoted by the
Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the first
parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Square riot in May, 1886,
US President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on
May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the riots. Thus he
moved in 1887 to support the Labor Day that the Knights supported.[7]
In 1955, the Roman Catholic Church dedicated May 1 to "Saint Joseph
The Worker". The Catholic Church considers Saint Joseph the patron
saint of (among others) workers, craftsmen, immigrants[8] and "people
fighting communism".[9]
Right-wing governments have traditionally sought to repress the
message behind International Workers' Day, with facist governments in
Portugal, Italy, Germany and Spain abolishing the workers' holiday,
and the Conservative party in the UK currently attempting to abolish
the UK's annual May Day Bank Holiday [10]
[edit] Americas
[edit] Argentina
In Argentina, Workers' Day is an official holidays. Even when it is
associated with labor unions, almost all workers trend to respect it.
[edit] Brazil
In Brazil, Workers' Day is an official holiday, and unions commemorate
it with day-long public events. It is also when salaries for most
professional categories and the minimum wage are traditionally
readjusted.
[edit] Canada
Although celebrations by socialist, anarchist and anti-globalization
activists occur on May 1 in Canada, the government of Prime Minister
John Sparrow David Thompson declared in 1894 the first Monday in
September as Canada's official Labour Day. May Day, however, remains
an important day of trade-union and community group protest in the
province of Quebec. Celebration of the International Labour Day (or
Workers' Day, fête des travailleurs) in Montreal goes back to 1906,
organised by the Mutual Aid circle. The tradition had a renaissance at
the time of a mass strike of 1972. On the 1973 May Day, the first
contemporary demonstration was organised by the major trade union
confederations. Over 30,000 trade unionists took part in this
demonstration.
[edit] United States
In the United States, efforts to officially switch Labor Day to the
international date of May 1 have failed. In 1921, following the
Russian Revolution of 1917, May 1 was promoted as "Americanization
Day" by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other groups as a counter to
communists. It became an annual event, sometimes featuring large
rallies. In 1949, Americanization Day was renamed to Loyalty Day. In
1958, Congress declared Loyalty Day a national holiday; that same
year, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 Law Day as
well.
Some unions and union locals in the United States — especially in
urban areas with strong support for organized labor — have attempted
to maintain a connection with more radical labor traditions through
their own unofficial observances on May 1. Some of the largest
examples of this occurred during the Great Depression of the 1930s,
when thousands of workers marched in May Day parades in New York's
Union Square. Smaller far left groups have also tried to keep the May
Day tradition alive with more radical demonstrations in such cities as
New York and Seattle, without major union backing.
In 2006, May 1 was chosen by mostly Latino immigrant groups in the
United States as the day for the Great American Boycott, a general
strike of illegal immigrant workers and supporters to protest H.R.
4437, immigration reform legislation which they felt was draconian.
From April 10 to May 1 of that year, millions of immigrant families in
the U.S. called for immigrant rights, workers rights and amnesty for
undocumented workers. They were joined by socialist and other leftist
organizations on May 1.[11][12] On May 1, 2007, a mostly peaceful
demonstration in Los Angeles in support of illegal immigrant workers
ended with a widely televised assault by police officers. In March
2008, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced that
dockworkers will move no cargo at any West Coast ports on May 1, 2008,
as a protest against the continuation of the Iraq War and the
diversion of resources from domestic needs.[13] For May Day 2010,
marches were being planned in many cities uniting immigrant and native
workers including New York [14][15], San Francisco,[16] Boston,[17]
Albany [18] Chicago and Los Angeles most of whom protested against the
Arizona Senate Bill 1070[19]
[edit] Asia
[edit] Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, it is observed at 1st may and is a Government holiday.
[edit] China
In the People's Republic of China, May 1 marked the start of one of
the country's three "Golden Weeks". Three days off work were given,
and one of the surrounding weekends was, for no more than 3 days. From
2008, only one day would still be given, with the other two days being
rescheduled on Qingming in early April and Duanwu in early June,
respectively.
[edit] India
The first May Day celebration in India was organised in Madras by the
Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923.[20] This was also the
first time the red flag was used in India.[21] The party leader
Singaravelu Chettiar made arrangements to celebrate May Day in two
places in 1923. One meeting was held at the beach opposite to the
Madras High Court; the other meeting was held at the Triplicane beach.
The Hindu newspaper, published from Madras reported,
The Labour Kisan party has introduced May Day celebrations in Chennai.
Comrade Singaravelar presided over the meeting. A resolution was
passed stating that the government should declare May Day as a
holiday. The president of the party explained the non-violent
principles of the party. There was a request for financial aid. It was
emphasized that workers of the world must unite to achieve
independence.[22]
May Day is a nationwide bank holiday in India. The holiday is tied to
labour movements for communist and socialist political parties. In
Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is officially called Maharashtra Day and
Gujarat Day respectively, since on this day in 1960 each attained
statehood, after the old Bombay State became divided on linguistic
lines.
[edit] Japan
May Day is not officially designated by the Japanese government as a
national holiday. But because it lies between other national holidays,
it is a day off work for the vast majority of Japanese workers. Many
employers give it as a day off by, and otherwise workers take it as
"paid leave". May 1 is occurs in the "Golden Week" of holidays,
together with April 29 ("Shōwa Day", birthday of former Emperor
Hirohito), May 3 ("Constitution Memorial Day"), May 4 ("Greenery Day")
and May 5 ("Children's Day"). Workers generally take May 1 off work
not so much to join street rallies or labor union gatherings, but
rather to take a few days of vacation in an uninterrupted string. In
the Japanese corporate culture, taking weekdays off for personal
pleasure is widely frowned upon.
Usually on this day, some of the major labor unions organize rallies
and demonstrations in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. In 2008, the National
Confederation of Trade Unions, known also as Zenrōren held a rally in
Yoyogi Park attended by 44,000 participants, while the National Trade
Unions Council, also known as Zenrōkyō held its May Day rally at
Hibiya Park. However the largest Japanese trade union, the Japanese
Trade Union Confederation, better known as Rengō, held its May Day
rally on the following Saturday (May 3), allegedly to distance itself
from the more radical labor unions.
[edit] Jordan
The 1st of May is known as Labor Day and is considered a public holiday.
[edit] Malaysia
Malaysia began observing the holiday in 1972 following an announcement
by the late Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Ismail Abdul Rahman.[23]
[edit] Maldives
Maldives first started observing the holiday in 2011, after a
declaration by the president, Mohamed Nasheed. He noted that this move
highlighted the government’s commitment as well as efforts of private
parties to protect and promote workers’ rights in the Maldives.[24]
[edit] Nepal
May Day has been celebrated in Nepal since 1963.[25] The day became a
public holiday in 2007.[26]
[edit] Singapore
In Singapore, it is known as Labor day and it is a public holiday
[edit] Philippines
The 1st of May is known as Labor Day and is considered a public holiday.
[edit] Europe
[edit] Eastern bloc under Communist governments
Eastern bloc countries such as the Soviet Union and most countries of
central and eastern Europe that were under the rule of Communist
governments held official May Day celebrations in every town and city,
during which party leaders greeted the crowds. Workers carried banners
with political slogans and many companies decorated their company
cars. The biggest celebration of May 1 usually occurred in the capital
of a particular communist country and usually included a military
display and the presence of the president and the secretary general of
the Party. In Poland, since 1982, party leaders led the official
parades, and in 1990, May 1 was renamed "State Holiday." In Hungary,
May Day was officially celebrated under the Communist regime, and
remains a public holiday. Traditionally, the day was marked by dancing
around designated "May trees."[27]
[edit] Germany
Stamp of GDR's 1. MaiIn Germany, May Day celebrations have been
organized independently by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) since the
late 19th century, and by the Communist Party since 1918. However, for
a long time the day was not made an official state holiday, even when
the Social Democrats came to power in the years after World War I,
because both the social democrats and the communists believed that the
workers should organize their own holiday without the involvement of
the (traditionally conservative) German state bureaucracy.
In 1929, the SPD government prohibited the annual May Day workers'
demonstrations in Berlin. The Communist Party, which was the strongest
party in Berlin, called demonstrations nonetheless. By the end of the
day, 32 demonstrators, workers and bystanders had been killed by the
police, at least 80 were seriously injured. The Berlin police, under
control of the supposedly pro-labour social democratic government, had
fired a total of 11,000 rounds of live ammunition. This incident,
remembered in the German language as Blutmai ("Blood May") deepened
the split between the SPD and the Communist Party, which indirectly
helped the German right wing parties and the eventual rise of the Nazi
Party in the German parliament.
In April 1933, the recently installed Nazi government declared May 1
the "Day of National Work," an official state holiday, and announced
that all celebrations were to be organized by the government. Any
separate celebrations by communists, social democrats or labour unions
were banned. After the World War II, May 1 remained a state holiday in
both East and West Germany. In communist East Germany, workers were de
facto required to participate in large state-organized parades on
Mayday. Today in Germany it is simply called the "Day of Labour" ("Tag
der Arbeit"), and there are numerous demonstrations and celebrations
by independent workers' organizations. Today, Berlin witnesses yearly
demonstrations on May Day, the largest organized by labour unions,
political parties and others by the far left and Autonomen.
Since 1987, Mayday has also become known for riots in some districts
of Berlin. After police actions against radical leftists in that
year's annual demonstrations, the Autonome scattered and sought cover
at the ongoing annual street fair in Kreuzberg. Three years prior to
the reunification of Germany, violent protests would only take place
in the former West Berlin. The protesters began tipping over police
cars, violently resisting arrest, and began building barricades after
the police withdrew due to the unforeseen resistance. Cars were set on
fire, shops plundered and burned to the ground. The police eventually
ended the riots the following night. These violent forms of protests
by the radical left, later increasingly involved participants without
political motivation.
Annual street fairs have proven an effective way to prevent riots, and
May Day in 2005 and 2006 have been among the most peaceful known to
Berlin in nearly 25 years. In recent years, neo-Nazis and other groups
on the far right, such as the National Democratic Party of Germany,
have used the day to schedule public demonstrations, often leading to
clashes with left-wing protesters, which turned especially violent in
Leipzig in 1998 and 2005.
May Day violence flared again in 2010. After an approved far right
demonstration was blocked by leftists, a parade by an estimated 10,000
leftists and anarchists turned violent and required an active response
by Berlin police. [28]
[edit] Sweden
The 1st of May has been an important part of Swedish 19th century
history. The day was made public holiday in 1938 but had been
celebrated by the Swedish Social Democratic Party since 1890. The
first May day celebration gathered more than 50.000 people in central
Stockholm. The crowd went to hear speeches held by the leading
characters of the Swedish labour movement, Hjalmar Branting (later
prime minister), August Palm and Hinke Bergegren. During World War I
the demonstrations mainly had a peace message and the Liberal Party
also joined the demonstrations. The 8-hour working day and women's
suffrage were the main messages during the troubled times after World
War I. When the Social Democratic Party won the election in 1932 they
started an era of social democratic rule that wasn't broken until the
election in 1976, when the centre-right parties won after nearly 50
years in opposition. During the long social democratic rule the May
Day demonstrations continued and grew even stronger, in despite that
the party de facto now was demonstrating against itself.
The May Day demonstrations are still an important part of Swedish
politics and the leaders of the social democratic and left-wing
parties use the May Day to discuss their politics. In Stockholm the
Social Democratic Party always marches towards the Norra Bantorget
("Northern Railway Square"), which is the centre of the Swedish labour
movement, to hold speeches in front of the Trade Union Palace.
[edit] Portugal
In Portugal, the 1st of May celebration was harshly repressed during
the fascist dictatorship regime of António de Oliveira Salazar,
although, since the Carnation Revolution in the 25th of April of 1974,
it's now celebrated by the several leftist political parties with
parades and demonstrations. It was an opportunity for the several
precarious workers groups to show their discontent for existing
working conditions, in a parade called Primeiro de Maio (1st of May),
although in the present the Worker's Day in Portugal is a holiday for
parents to spend some time with their children. The 1st of May also
represents the unionized workers that try to improve the working
conditions of emmigrant workers abroad.
[edit] Spain
In Spain, the 1st of May celebration was established after the end of
Franco's dictatorship in 1975; before that, it had been celebrated
during the Spanish Second Republic period (1931–1939), but it was
banned afterwards by the fascist Franco regime. The first time it was
celebrated was in 1977, when the Communist Party of Spain was
legalized. Since then, it has become an official holiday that has been
traditionally used by trade unions and leftist parties for social and
labour vindications. Commonly, pacific demonstrations and parades are
made in most big cities.
[edit] Serbia
In Serbia, the 1st of May is a day off work and a day out of school.
People celebrate all over the country, usually having barbecues
outside. In Belgrade, the capital, most people go to Avala or
Košutnjak, which is a park located in Rakovica and Čukarica. Many
manifestations are organized and held all over town.
[edit] Greece
In Greece, May 1 celebrations are characterized by demonstrations. All
major political parties participate. On May Day 2010 there were major
protests all over Greece, most notably Athens and Thessaloniki, by
many left, anarchist and communist supporters and some violent clashes
by riot police who were sent out to contain the protesters. They
demanded economic reform, an end to job losses and wage cuts in the
face of the government's proposals of massive public spending cuts.
These cuts are to fall in line with the EU-IMF loan proposals which
demand that Greece liberalize its economy, cut its public spending and
open it up further to the EU and world markets, which many believe
will decrease living standards.[29]
[edit] Italy
The first May day celebration in Italy took place in 1890. It started
initially as an attempt to celebrate workers' achievements in their
struggle for their rights and for better social and economic
conditions. It was abolished under the Fascist Regime and immediately
restored after the Second World War. (During the fascist period, a
"Holiday of the Italian labour" (Festa del lavoro italiano) was
celebrated on the 21st of April, the date of Natale di Roma, when
ancient Rome was allegedly founded.) Now, May Day is an important
celebration in Italy. Very popular is the Concerto del Primo Maggio
("1 May's Concert"), organized by Italian Labour Unions in Rome in
Piazza San Giovanni. It is attended by more than 300,000 people every
year,[citation needed] and involves participation of many famous bands
and songwriters. The concert is usually broadcasted live by Rai Tre.
[edit] Russia
May Day was celebrated illegally in Russia until the February
Revolution enabled the first legal celebration in 1917. The following
year, after the Bolshevik seizure of power, the May Day celebrations
were boycotted by Mensheviks, Left Socialist Revolutionaries and
anarchists. It became an important official holiday of the Soviet
Union, celebrated with elaborate popular parade in the centre of the
major cities. The biggest celebration was traditionally organized on
the Red Square, where the General Secretary of the CPSU and other
party and government leaders stood atop Lenin's Mausoleum and waved to
the crowds. Since 1992, May Day is officially called "The Day of
Spring and Labour", and remains a major holiday in the present-day
Russia.
[edit] United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom in recent years, the anti-capitalist movement
has organised a number of large protests in London, Glasgow,
Edinburgh, and Doncaster. In London, these have resulted in clashes
with the police.[30] In 2000, the clashes ended with a branch of
McDonalds being smashed and a statue of Winston Churchill being given
a grass Mohawk hairstyle. The Cenotaph was also defaced with
graffiti.[31] In the last few years, demonstrations have been more
peaceful, with marches and gatherings, particularly in central
London.[32] The current Conservative-led coalition government in March
2011 announced plans to move the May Day bank holiday to October in
order to lengthen the tourist season.[33] A London rally on May Day is
organised by the London May Day Organising Committee (LMDOC).
[edit] Africa
[edit] Egypt
The 1st of May is known as Labor Day and is considered a public holiday.
Russian (Soviet era) poster for the 1st of MayMay Day occurs on May 1
and refers to several public holidays.[1] In many countries, May Day
is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, a day of
political demonstrations and celebrations organised by communists,
anarchists, socialists, and activist groups. May Day is also a
traditional holiday in many cultures.
International Workers' Day
Approximately 700,000 people at a May Day concert in Rome
International Workers' Day
May Day can refer to various labour celebrations conducted on May 1
that commemorate the fight for the eight hour day. May Day in this
regard is called International Workers' Day, or Labour Day. The idea
for a "workers holiday" began in Australia in 1856; after a
Stonemason's victory, April 22nd was "Eight-Hour Day", a public
holiday.[3][4] With the idea having spread around the world, the
choice of May 1st became a commemoration by the Second International
for the people involved in the 1886 Haymarket affair.[5]
The Haymarket affair occurred during the course of a three-day general
strike in Chicago, Illinois, United States that involved common
laborers, artisans, merchants, and immigrants.[6] Following an
incident in which police opened fire and killed four strikers at the
McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. plant, a rally was called for the
following day at Haymarket Square. Towards the end of the rally, as
police moved in to disperse the event and opened fire on the unarmed
crowd on the plea that an unknown assailant threw a bomb into the
crowd of police. The bomb and resulting police riot left at least a
dozen people dead, including one policeman.[7] A sensational show
trial ensued in which eight defendants were openly tried for their
political beliefs, and not necessarily for any involvement in the
bombing.[8] The trial led to the eventual public hanging of four
anarchists.[9] The Haymarket incident was a source of outrage from
people around the globe. In the following years, memory of the
"Haymarket martyrs" was remembered with various May Day job actions
and demonstrations.[10]
May Day has become an international celebration of the social and
economic achievements of the labour movement. Although the
commemoration of May Day as International Workers' Day received its
inspiration from the United States, the U.S. Congress designated May 1
as Loyalty Day in 1958 due to the day's perceived appropriation by the
Soviet Union.[11] Alternatively, Labor Day traditionally occurs on the
first Monday in September in the United States. People often use May
Day as a day for political protest, such as the million people who
demonstrated against far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen in France,
or as a day for protest against government actions, such as rallies in
support of undocumented workers across the United States.[12][13][14]
[edit] Traditional May Day celebrations
May Day is related to the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic
festival of Walpurgis Night. May Day falls exactly half of a year from
November 1, another cross-quarter day which is also associated with
various northern European pagan and neopagan festivals such as
Samhain. May Day marks the end of the unfarmable winter half of the
year in the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an
occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations.
As Europe became Christianized the pagan holidays lost their religious
character and either changed into popular secular celebrations, as
with May Day, or were merged with or replaced by new Christian
holidays as with Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and All Saint's Day. In
the twentieth century, many neopagans began reconstructing the old
traditions and celebrating May Day as a pagan religious festival
again.
[edit] Origins
The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times,
with the festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers, and the
Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries. It is also
associated with the Gaelic Beltane. Many pagan celebrations were
abandoned or Christianized during the process of conversion in Europe.
A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe
and America. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition
of dancing the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May. Various
Neopagan groups celebrate reconstructed (to varying degrees) versions
of these customs on May the 1st. The day was a traditional summer
holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While February
1 was the first day of Spring, May 1 was the first day of summer;
hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was Midsummer. In
the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, and in
these circles May Day is usually a celebration of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. In this connection, in works of art, school skits, and so forth,
Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning.
Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May
baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left
anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps.[15]
[edit] Asia
[edit] India
May 1 is celebrated as Maharashtra Day in Maharashtra[16] and Gujarat
Day in Gujarat,[17] two states on the western coast of India. Both
attained statehood on the 1st of May 1960 when the state of Bombay was
divided in two under the Saurashtra re-organization act. The division
was made on the basis of different languages; Marathi and Gujarati.
Maharashtra retained the old capital Bombay, which was later renamed
Mumbai. The rest of India celebrates May Day as International Workers'
Day
[edit] China
1 May is celebrated as Labour Day in China. It is a public holiday.
[edit] Bangladesh
Bangladesh celebrates MayDay as International Workers' Day. It is a
public holiday.
[edit] Europe
[edit] England
Roodmas was a Christian Mass celebrated in England at midnight on May 1.
Morris dancing on May Day in Oxford, England 2004.Traditional English
May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May
Queen and celebrations involving a Maypole. Much of this tradition
derive from the pagan Anglo-Saxon customs held during
"Þrimilci-mōnaþ"[18] (the Old English name for the month of May
meaning Month of Three Milkings).
May Day has been a traditional day of festivities throughout the
centuries. With Christianity came agricultural feasts such as Plough
Sunday (the first Sunday in January), Rogationtide, Harvest Festival
and May Day. It is most associated with towns and villages celebrating
springtime fertility and revelry with village fetes and community
gatherings. Since May 1st is the Feast of St Philip & St James, they
became the patron saints of workers. Seeding has been completed by
this date and it was convenient to give farm labourers a day off.
Perhaps the most significant of the traditions is the Maypole, around
which traditional dancers circle with ribbons.
The May Day bank holiday, on the first Monday in May, was
traditionally the only one to affect the state school calendar,
although new arrangements in some areas to even out the length of
school terms mean that the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank
holidays, which vary from year to year, may also fall during term
time. The May Day bank holiday was created in 1978. In February 2011
the UK Parliament was reported to be considering scrapping the bank
holiday associated with May Day, replacing it with a bank holiday in
October, possibly co-inciding with Trafalgar Day (celebrated on 21
October), to create a "United Kingdom Day",.[19]
May day was abolished and its celebration banned by puritan
parliaments during the Interregnum, but reinstated with the
restoration of Charles II in 1660.[20] 1 May 1707 was the day the Act
of Union came into effect, joining England and Scotland to form the
Kingdom of Great Britain.
In Oxford, it is traditional for May Morning revellers to gather below
the Great Tower of Magdalen College at 6.00am to listen to the college
choir sing traditional madrigals as a conclusion to the previous
night's celebrations. It is then thought to be traditional for some
people to jump off Magdalen Bridge into the River Cherwell. However
this has actually only been fashionable since the 1970s. In recent
years the bridge has been closed on 1 May to prevent people from
jumping, as the water under the bridge is only 2 feet (61 cm) deep and
jumping from the bridge has resulted in serious injury in the past yet
there are still people who insist on climbing the barriers and leaping
into the water, causing injury.[21]
In Durham, students of the University of Durham gather on Prebend's
Bridge to see the sunrise and enjoy festivities, folk music, dancing,
madrigal singing and a barbecue breakfast. This is an emerging Durham
tradition, with patchy observance since 2002.
Whitstable, Kent hosts a good example of more traditional May Day
festivities, where the Jack in the Green festival was revived in 1976
and continues to lead an annual procession of morris dancers through
the town on the May Bank Holiday. A separate revival occurred in
Hastings in 1983 and has become a major event in the town calendar. A
traditional Sweeps Festival is performed over the May bank holiday in
Rochester, Kent where the Jack In the Green is woken at dawn on the
1st of May by Morris dancers.
The Maydayrun involves thousands of motorbikes taking a 55-mile (89
km) trip from London(Locksbottom) to the Hastings seafront, East
Sussex. The event has been taking place for almost 30 years now and
has grown in interest from around the country, both commercially and
publicly. The event is not officially organised; the police only
manage the traffic, while volunteers manage the parking.
Padstow in Cornwall holds its annual 'Obby-Oss' day of festivities.
This is believed to be one of the oldest fertility rites in the UK;
revellers dance with the Oss through the streets of the town and even
through the private gardens of the citizens, accompanied by accordion
players and followers dressed in white with red or blue sashes who
sing the traditional 'May Day' song. The whole town is decorated with
springtime greenery, and every year thousands of onlookers attend.
Prior to the 19th century distinctive May day celebrations were
widespread throughout West Cornwall , and are being revived in St.
Ives and Penzance.
Kingsand, Cawsand and Millbrook in Cornwall celebrate Flower Boat
Ritual on the May Day bank holiday. A model of the ship The Black
Prince is covered in flowers and is taken in procession from the Quay
at Millbrook to the beach at Cawsand where it is cast adrift. The
houses in the villages are decorated with flowers and people
traditionally wear red and white clothes. There are further
celebrations in Cawsand Square with Morris dancing and May pole
dancing.
[edit] Scotland
In St Andrews, some of the students gather on the beach late on April
30 and run into the North Sea at sunrise on May Day, occasionally
naked. This is accompanied by torchlit processions and much elated
celebration.
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow organize Mayday festivals and rallies. In
Edinburgh, the Beltane Fire Festival is held on the evening of May eve
and into the early hours of May Day on the city's Calton Hill.
1 May 1707 was the day the Act of Union came into effect, joining
England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
[edit] Ireland
A traditional May Day has been celebrated in Ireland since pagan times
as the feast of Bealtaine and in latter times as Mary's day, bonfires
are lit to mark the coming of summer and to banish the long nights of
winter. (Officially Irish Mayday bank holiday is now on the first
Monday in May). In modern times may day is associated with
anti-government rallies which are held every year on this date. Old
traditions such as bonfires are no longer held.
[edit] Portugal
Labor Day in Portugal.
In Portugal, only from May 1974 (the year of the revolution of April
25) that is turned to freely celebrate May Day and it became a
holiday. During the dictatorship of the Estado Novo, the commemoration
of this day was broken up by police. The World Day of Workers is
celebrated throughout the country, especially with demonstrations,
rallies and celebrations of nature that claims promoted by the
Inter-union federation CGT (General Confederation of Portuguese
Workers - Inter) in the main cities of Lisbon and Porto, as well as by
trade union confederation UGT (General Workers' Union). In the
Algarve, it is customary to make population and picnics are organized
some parties in the region. Importantly, since the government of José
Sócrates has approved a new law of trade opening on Sundays, Portugal
WORKERS are again forced to work day May 1, Sundays and holidays,
including Easter Sunday.
[edit] France
On May 1st, 1561, King Charles IX of France received a lily of the
valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley each
year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century,
it became custom on the 1st of May, to give a sprig of lily of the
valley, a symbol of springtime. The government permits individuals and
workers' organisations to sell them free of taxation. It is also
traditional for the lady receiving the spray of lily of valley to give
a kiss in return. Now, people may present loved ones with bunches of
lily of the valley or dog rose flowers [22]
[edit] Germany
A stamp from East Germany celebrating the 100-year anniversary of
International Workers Day on 1 May 1990.In rural regions of Germany,
especially the Harz Mountains, Walpurgisnacht celebrations of Pagan
origin are traditionally held on the night before May Day, including
bonfires and the wrapping of maypoles, and young people use this
opportunity to party, while the day itself is used by many families to
get some fresh air. Motto: "Tanz in den Mai!" ("Dance into May!"). In
the Rhineland, a region in the western part of Germany, May 1 is also
celebrated by the delivery of a tree covered in streamers to the house
of a girl the night before. The tree is typically from a love
interest, though a tree wrapped only in white streamers is a sign of
dislike. Females usually place roses or rice in form of a heart at the
house of their beloved one. It is common to stick the heart to a
window or place it in front of the doormat. On leap years, it is the
responsibility of the females to place the maypole, though the males
are still allowed and encouraged to do so. All the action is usually
done secretly and it is in everyone's choice to give a hint on their
identity or stay anonymously.
[edit] Finland
Celebrations among the younger generations take place on May Day eve,
see Walpurgis Night in Finland), most prominent being the afternoon
'crowning' of statues in towns around the country with a student cap.
May Day is known as Vappu, from the Swedish term. This is a public
holiday that is the only carnival-style street festivity in the
country. People, particularly students young and old, party outside on
this day arranging picnics and wearing their caps or other decorative
clothing . However, all political organizations, including right and
left wing parties, also arrange marches, speeches and such public
events.
[edit] Sweden
Mayday is denoted "First of May" ("Första maj" in Swedish) and has
been a public holiday in Sweden since 1939. The main events on Mayday
is political demonstrations carried out by the working class
organisations and political parties historically associated with the
working class movement.
[edit] Pacific
In Hawaii, May Day is also known as Lei Day, and is normally set aside
as a day to celebrate island culture in general and native Hawaiian
culture in particular. While it was invented by a poet and a local
newspaper columnist in the 1920s, it has since been adopted by state
and local government as well as by the residents, and has taken on a
sense of general spring celebration there. The first Lei Day was
proposed in 1927 in Honolulu. Leonard "Red" and Ruth Hawk composed
"May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i," the traditional holiday song.
Originally it was a contemporary fox trot, later rearranged as the
Hawaiian hula song performed today.
[edit] Americas
May Day festivities at National Park Seminary in Maryland, 1907.May
Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the
American continent. In some parts of the United States, May Baskets
are made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or
treats and left at someone's doorstep. The basket giver would ring the
bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch
the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be
exchanged.[citation needed]
Modern May Day ceremonies in the U.S. vary greatly from region to
region and many unite both the holiday's "Green Root" (pagan) and "Red
Root" (labor) traditions.[23] Among the largest is the May Day Parade
and Pageant created by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask
Theatre, an event that has happened every year since 1975 in
Minneapolis and now attracts some 35,000 people.
May 1 also is recognized in the U.S. as Law Day.[24]
മin this year international labour organisation is giving message that
protect workers from safety, give health education knowledge skill
talent abilities and personality development.
complete elimination of child labour.
with this view I thank all of you who are working hard in various
spheres of life.
thanking you
with warm regards
NagarajH
To unsubscribe send a message to
[email protected]
with the subject unsubscribe.
To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please
visit the list home page at
http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
