In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago (1886). Five years later, U.S. Pres. Grover Cleveland, uneasy with the socialist origins of Workers’ Day, signed legislation to make Labor Day—already held in some states on the first Monday of September—the official U.S. holiday in honour of workers. Canada followed suit not long afterward.
The rest of the world celebrates International Labour day on May 1st.
Five years later, U.S. Pres. Grover Cleveland, uneasy with the socialist origins of Workers’ Day, signed legislation to make Labor Day—already held in some states on the first Monday of September—the official U.S. holiday in honour of workers. Canada followed suit not long afterward.
Yes, you are correct!
I wonder about this quote though…
Nope.
Ours in Australia predates everyone else’s. And it varies across the country , for example my state holds it on the second Monday of May as thats when the stonemasons celebrated winning the first 8 hour day with no loss of pay in the world.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day
Every country in the world except the US, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Japan, the UK, Finland and Kazakstan.
The history of monuments to this event is a good example of how the fight is still ongoing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monuments_relating_to_the_Haymarket_affair
I noticed all the articles call it the Haymarket Affair, while the art and image captions call it a riot or a massacre
TIL the Haymaker Riots were inspired by Australia
On 21 April 1856, Australian stonemasons in Victoria undertook a mass stoppage as part of the eight-hour workday movement.[10] It became a yearly commemoration, inspiring American workers to have their first stoppage.[11] 1 May was chosen to be International Workers’ Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago.[12] In that year beginning on 1 May, there was a general strike for the eight-hour workday.
Wow, thanks for the history!
I did not know Australia was involved!
