5/08/2010

International Worker's Day (May Day)


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Our forefathers have struggled to make sure we have good working conditions and enjoy time for recreation and rest. On May 1, people all around the world are celebrating International Workers’ Day.  If you want to learn more about its significance, be sure to come to class on May 7~13.  See you then!

       International Workers’ day, also known as May Day, is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.  It is the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when Chicago police fired on workers during a general strike for the eight hour day, killing several demonstrators. 

Following international demonstrations, May Day was formally recognized as an annual event in 1891. The idea of a “workers holiday” began in Australia in 1856. The majority of countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1st, while some celebrate on the first Monday of September.

May 1 is a national holiday in Albania, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia (locally known as Hari Buruh), Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Lebanon, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.