May Day has been significant for workers since its inception in 1890, marking collective actions for labor rights, particularly the eight-hour workday. This demand led to significant protests and ultimately became an accepted standard of labor in many countries. Today, May Day reflects ongoing struggles for workers' rights, especially as exemplified by the recent strikes led by unions like the UAW against major automakers. As the fight for labor rights continues, May Day serves as a reminder of workersâ collective strength and potential for change.
And workers across the world heeded the call. Every year, thousands, and then millions, of workers celebrated May 1st as International Workers Day.
The Catholic Church adopted it in the 1950s, with St. Joseph the Worker as its patron saint.
In 2023, tens of thousands of autoworkers at the Big Three went on strike.
Nearly 150 years later, the American working class is learning the lesson of May Day all over again.
Collection
[
|
...
]