The origin of the Labour Day dates back to the late 19th century. Workers world wide started demanding better working conditions, shorter working hours and fair wages. It is also popularly known as the eight-hour day movement.
Pictures: PTIOn May 1st, 1886 workers in Chicago organized a strike to demand an eight-hour workday. Workers in the US also came together to fight for their rights and a better working conditions after the bomb explotion incident at a workers' rally in Haymarket Square.
The International congress of socialist parties met in Paris in 1889 and decided to celebrate Labour Day or Worker's Day on May 1.
In India, the first labour day was celebrated on May 1, 1923, in Chennai and it was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. Comrade Singaravelar who was the leader of the party, arranged two meetings to celebrate this occasion.
May Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the plight and the struggles of working people and to protect them from exploitation.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) activists participate in a march on the occasion of International Workers' Day, in Hyderabad, Monday, May 1, 2023.
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) activists participate in a march on the occasion of International Workers' Day, in Thiruvananthapuram.