The entire world observes the International Labour Day on May 1.
This day is celebrated as it marks for the struggles made by the working class post-1886 . Haymarket agitation which altered the history for the rest of the years. America has mostly all contribution to the international labour movement.
Among increasing problems , the workers in America in the last few years of the nineteenth century decided among themselves for eight hours of works a day. They came up with demand of eight hours of sleep and eight hours of entertainment in their lives. Besides America there were other countries where people demanded eight hours of work. Its neighbouring continent Europe was also majorly affected by this on going protest.
The incident of Haymarket affair changed the history of labour movement all over the world. On May 4 1886, protesters peacefully demonstrated the Haymarket of Chicago. In its bid to disperse the crowd, the Chicago police was struggling with protesters when an unidentified man hurled a bomb prompting police to open fire at the demonstration. Four workers died because of this incident but what came in light was that movement was unearthed when workers alleged that eight arrested workers had nothing to do with the bomb .
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This day is celebrated as it marks for the struggles made by the working class post-1886 . Haymarket agitation which altered the history for the rest of the years. America has mostly all contribution to the international labour movement.
Among increasing problems , the workers in America in the last few years of the nineteenth century decided among themselves for eight hours of works a day. They came up with demand of eight hours of sleep and eight hours of entertainment in their lives. Besides America there were other countries where people demanded eight hours of work. Its neighbouring continent Europe was also majorly affected by this on going protest.
The incident of Haymarket affair changed the history of labour movement all over the world. On May 4 1886, protesters peacefully demonstrated the Haymarket of Chicago. In its bid to disperse the crowd, the Chicago police was struggling with protesters when an unidentified man hurled a bomb prompting police to open fire at the demonstration. Four workers died because of this incident but what came in light was that movement was unearthed when workers alleged that eight arrested workers had nothing to do with the bomb .
After years of protest, the second international decided to follow the anniversary of Haymarket affair in 1890. The next year, the organisation comprising of communist and workers parties decided to observe it every year. Meanwhile, the struggle for eight hours of work intensified and the second international called on all communist along socialist and workers parties to protest with full energy on May 1 in 1904. Ever since the day is celebrated every year celebrating the struggle for better wages and working conditions.
Celebration in India
In India, the celebration of the day is also observed with the anti-imperialist movement. The first May day celebration was organised by Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in 1923. This was the first time when red flags were unfurled in the country. It was lead by Singaravelu Chettiar as ‘May Day’ celebrations on the beach opposite Madras High court along with Triplicane beach. Presiding over a meet at celebrations, he demanded independence of India. India was still recovering from over from of ‘non-cooperation movement’ by Mahatma Gandhi. Yet, the demand for an independent India remained one of the major demands of the labour movement in the country.
The day is also termed as Kamgar Din (Hindi), Kamgar Divas (Marathi) and Uzhaipalar Dinam (Tamil), the ‘Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas’.
After years of protest, the second international decided to follow the anniversary of Haymarket affair in 1890. The next year, the organisation comprising of communist and workers parties decided to observe it every year. Meanwhile, the struggle for eight hours of work intensified and the second international called on all communist along socialist and workers parties to protest with full energy on May 1 in 1904. Ever since the day is celebrated every year celebrating the struggle for better wages and working conditions.
Celebration in India
In India, the celebration of the day is also observed with the anti-imperialist movement. The first May day celebration was organised by Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in 1923. This was the first time when red flags were unfurled in the country. It was lead by Singaravelu Chettiar as ‘May Day’ celebrations on the beach opposite Madras High court along with Triplicane beach. Presiding over a meet at celebrations, he demanded independence of India. India was still recovering from over from of ‘non-cooperation movement’ by Mahatma Gandhi. Yet, the demand for an independent India remained one of the major demands of the labour movement in the country.
The day is also termed as Kamgar Din (Hindi), Kamgar Divas (Marathi) and Uzhaipalar Dinam (Tamil), the ‘Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas’.