01.05
 The holiday is most often associated with the commemoration of the social and economic achievements of the labor movement. The May 1st date is used because in 1884 the American Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions demanded an eight-hour workday, to come in effect as of May 1, 1886. This resulted in the general strike and the Haymarket Riot of 1886, but eventually also in the official sanction of the eight-hour workday.
In July 1889 2nd International Congress of Paris decideded to celebrate the parades in honor of Chicago workers each year on the 1st of May. For the first time this day was celebrated in 1890 year in Belgium, German, Denmark, Spain, Italy, USA, Norway, France, Switzerland and some other countries. |
