The International Workers’ Solidarity Day 2025!
May 1st – International Workers’ Solidarity Day!
This day is considered a symbol of spring and embodies respect for any creative work. The tradition of celebrating this holiday has been around for many years. The origin of the tradition of celebrating May Day is connected with the events that took place in Chicago in the 19th century. On May 1, 1886, rallies and demonstrations of workers began in the city, demanding an eight-hour workday from their employers. The strike and the accompanying demonstration ended in a bloody clash with the police.
In July 1889, the Paris Congress of the Second International, in memory of the workers’ demonstration, decided to hold annual demonstrations on May 1st. For the first time, International Workers’ Solidarity Day was celebrated in 1890 in Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the USA, Norway, France, Sweden, and some other countries. Today, the holiday is celebrated in more than 100 countries and territories around the world on May 1st or the first Monday of May.
Each country has its own traditions of celebrating May Day. This holiday is especially loved in Germany, Holland, Greece, Spain, Italy, France, and Sweden. For example, in Germany, large-scale festivities, entire fairs, and cheerful dances are held. In addition, there is a wonderful tradition here – young people in love plant a tree in front of their chosen one’s window. In Holland, May Day is the time for the Tulip Festival. Many people from all over the world come here specifically to see this colorful spectacle. In Greece, this day is a holiday symbolizing the change of seasons. Girls gather the first flowers, weave wreaths from them, and decorate their homes. Young Spaniards on this day present their loved ones with the first spring flowers. Italians on this day return to the pagan origins of the holiday. Flower festivals are held in honor of the goddesses Maia and Flora. In France, May Day is associated with lilies of the valley. It is these flowers, symbolizing happiness, that the French give, congratulating each other. On the night of April 30th to May 1st, giant fires are lit in Swedish cities, in which the garbage accumulated throughout the year is burned. After that comes a time of dancing and fun. And in the morning, various rallies begin in support of the working class. Thus, May 1st is a wonderful holiday that unites different peoples. It does not matter which version of the celebration is held in the country. In any case, this is a bright spring holiday that brings a lot of positive emotions. The main idea – workers’ solidarity and recognition of their contribution to the development of society – remains relevant today in the context of global efforts to achieve the SDGs. Social protection (an element of many SDGs): The ideas underlying Labor Day, such as the need to protect workers’ rights and ensure social guarantees, resonate with the tasks of many SDGs aimed at social protection and the well-being of all segments of the population (SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth, SDG 1 – No poverty, SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities, SDG 5 – Gender equality, SDG 4 – Quality education).
