{"id":59922,"date":"2025-02-12T11:07:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T15:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teambonding.com\/?p=59922"},"modified":"2025-02-12T14:09:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T18:09:33","slug":"international-workers-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teambonding.com\/international-workers-day\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Celebrate International Workers\u2019 Day: History, Meaning, & Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Workers\u2019 Day, also known as May Day, is a holiday focused on celebrating the working class all over the world. It\u2019s an important holiday that gives us a chance to celebrate the often underappreciated working class.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about International Workers\u2019 Day. From its history and importance to May Day celebration ideas, you\u2019ll be ready to give your employees the appreciation they deserve this Workers\u2019 Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is International Workers\u2019 Day?<\/span><\/h2>\n

International Workers\u2019 Day is also known as May Day. It also goes by International Labor Day, but that tends to be confusing since Labor Day in the US is a separate holiday celebrated on a different day with a similar focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yeah, it\u2019s enough to leave your head spinning if you think about it too much. So, when is May Day? Is it the same thing? Here\u2019s a quick breakdown to set the record straight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

International Workers\u2019 Day (May Day\/International Labor Day)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Celebrated:<\/b> Annually on May 1st.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Origin: <\/b>Chicago, 1886. Rooted in the <\/span>Haymarket Affair<\/span><\/a>, during which workers who were striking for an 8-hour workday faced police violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Significance: <\/b>Celebrated worldwide as a day of worker solidarity, protests, and labor rights advocacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Observed in: <\/b>Many countries, including most of Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Labor Day (aka US Labor Day)\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Celebrated:<\/b> Annually on the first Monday in September.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Origin:<\/b> Established in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland <\/span>to honor workers<\/span><\/a> as a less radical alternative to International Workers\u2019 Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Significance:<\/b> Less of a protest and advocacy day than International Workers\u2019 Day\u2014often celebrated as the end of summer with parades and cookouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Observed in: <\/b>The United States and Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Important History of International Workers\u2019 Day<\/span><\/h2>\n

The history of May Day technically predates its relation to Workers\u2019 Day. Originating from the European Pagan tradition of May Basket Day, it was <\/span>brought to the US<\/span><\/a> in the 19th century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It became connected to the labor movement in 1886 when the American Federation of Labor designated May 1st as the date for a nationwide strike. They were fighting for an 8-hour workday, and the strike was an attempt to demand a change in work hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Chicago, labor rights groups and labor activists followed through with the strike. However, things turned violent as police attacked those on strike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This display of violence continued into the following days, and the event became known as <\/span>the Haymarket Affair<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s a landmark event in the history of labor and workers\u2019 rights.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Birth of May Day\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Following these events, the International Socialist Conference labeled May Day as a labor holiday in 1889. Labor groups began celebrating the holiday, and it slowly grew in popularity over the years as people advocated for it to become a federal holiday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

World War II, the Cold War, and the anti-communist and anti-labor attitudes of this era led to the holiday being largely ignored. President Eisenhower designated May 1st \u201cLaw Day\u201d (a celebration of the rule of law) instead of a workers\u2019 holiday as a way to shift focus away from the labor movements of the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, the holiday gained traction in the US. As Cold War ideas about labor and socialism slowly began to fade, more saw the day as a celebration of the working class, labor rights, and the efforts of labor activists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

May 1st is now a common day for protests, strikes, and other labor-related political events. And now we call it International Workers\u2019 Day!<\/span><\/p>\n

How Is International Workers\u2019 Day Celebrated?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The US may celebrate Workers\u2019 Day, but we\u2019re not the only ones. It\u2019s celebrated in various countries worldwide in many different ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

May Day Celebrations: Ideas and Examples From Around the World<\/span><\/h3>\n

Canada celebrates International Workers\u2019 Day by enacting minimum wage increases on May 1st and with other events. For example, in Quebec, May Day is often the date of union and labor-centric protests, demonstrations, and events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Chile, International Labor Day is a national holiday. All stores and public services close on May 1st, and the major unions and labor groups organize events. It typically starts with rallies in the morning and ends with parties in the evening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The list of individual celebrations could go on. International Workers\u2019 Day is celebrated differently in various countries, and each celebration is unique.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, they share common themes of honoring labor, the working class, and the contributions of labor activists, unions, and workers\u2019 rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why It\u2019s Important To Acknowledge and Appreciate Employees<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the history let\u2019s move on to the present and the many reasons that acknowledging and appreciating employees is essential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Employees Deserve To Be Celebrated<\/span><\/h3>\n

The number one reason that employees should be acknowledged and appreciated is because they deserve it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your employees work hard every day to do their jobs and help your organization succeed. Without them, you would have nothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Employees are the ones that make your business\u2019 success possible, so they deserve recognition and appreciation for their contributions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Positive Work Culture<\/span><\/h3>\n

Appreciating your employees also helps create a positive work culture, and this benefits everyone at every level of the company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a positive work culture, people feel happier, more motivated, more productive, and more engaged. They want to come to work and do their best. There are numerous benefits to a positive work culture. For example:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n