May Day

Today is May Day.

As a kid every May Day I always wondered why we didn't have the festivities that were associated with most other national holidays in India. Maybe there were celebrations; my small head somehow could not seem to comprehend the reasons behind the importance of May 1st back then.

Today I do, and I think it is a day that marks yet another instance in the history of mankind when the humans evolved.

The day is an official government holiday in most countries with mass demonstrations, rallies and marches being held to express labor solidarity and celebrate worker's rights. Here in the United States May Day is not a government-sanctioned holiday.

Why we work 8 hours a day?
But do you know where May Day began? The commemoration originated in 1886 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. May Day or International Worker's Day is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. This is where the eight-hour work culture that checked the rampant exploitation of workers, has its roots. It wasn't an easy process because people were evolving and making mistakes in the process. Lives were lost, opinions and beliefs clashed, but in the end truth was upheld, and mankind became wiser.

Over the years, those against the basic belief behind this movement have attempted to paint this Day in alternative subvertive colors, but obviously it did not work. Although, this includes a much accepted 'Labour Day' celebration of the first Monday in September in the US.

A day without the Immigrants
This year, immigrant groups around the US have chosen this day to stage a work strike and take part in a one-day economic boycott to protest anti-immigrant legislation being considered by Congress. Hundreds of thousands are expected to participate in the boycott and various other events taking place throughout the country. Today is probably going to be another big turn in the history of the Western world- sit up, and take notice!

More resources available here. Juan Gonzalez on Immigrant protests in NY Times. [Link]