Success is hidden under hard work
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/04/2024 (866 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Mayday! Mayday! Have you heard about International Workers’ Day, which is marked on May Day, May 1? Remarkably similar to Labour Day, this day honours the efforts of workers and the labour movement.
In 1889, the federation of socialist groups and trade unions in the U.S. agreed to designate May 1 International Workers’ Day in commemoration of the Haymarket riots. In 1894, U.S. Pres. Grover Cleveland declared that this day would become a significant day in all states. This movement began in the early 19th century in the United States because men, women and children were dying from horrific working conditions.
In 1886, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Union, now known as the American Federation of Labor, declared that a legal work day would consist of eight hours beginning May 1, 1886. The following year, the country’s largest labour group encouraged thousands of people to go on strike as a way to prove that working conditions needed to improve. In May of 1886, over 300,000 employees (approximately half the population of Vancouver) walked out of their jobs across America. Throughout the following days, tensions between people and the police rose, resulting in riots between them in Haymarket, injuring many and resulting in several deaths.
Union activists rally at the Legislature on May Day in Winnipeg on May 1, 2023 when one-third of PSAC members were on strike. It was an appropriate time to protest as May Day is International Workers’ Day. (File)
Canada experienced similar protests on its side, but Canada’s version of May Day did not begin until the 20th century. The first celebrations took place in Montreal in 1906, as citizens roamed the city with a banner saying “Travailleurs du monde, unissons-nous” (“Workers of the world, unite”). May Day lost popularity after WWII because of its perceived ties to communism. It soon came back in the 1970s with celebrations mainly held in Quebec and smaller events held around Canada. The commemoration of the riots led to May Day becoming an official holiday in 66 countries, with Canada following soon after the United States.
Although May Day is not considered a statutory holiday in Canada, Labour Day is. On the first Monday of September, we celebrate the achievements started in the 19th century that led us to having fair wages, better working conditions, and numerous other employment benefits for our lives and our future generations, including the workers and families of Brandon, Manitoba.
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself” — Henry Ford
» Tatiana Dupuis is a Grade 11 student at École secondaire Neelin High School