Labour Day & International Workers' Day 2018: Origin, Historical Importance, Significance & How Does It Matter To India

The date – May 1 holds momentous importance in our history. Not just in the context of India, but the day is celebrated world over in different forms. In India and other parts of the world, it is celebrated as Labour Day. Also, different countries also celebrate the day as International Workers’ Day.

Labour Day holds both cultural and historical importance as countries across the globe saw significant movements take place on May 1. The day is also a public holiday in many countries. So what is Labour Day? What is its importance? Does India celebrate Labour Day? Let’s take you through know all of the Labour Day, a.k.a. International Workers’ Day, a.k.a. as May Day!

What is Labour Day or International Workers' Day?

In the United States and different parts of the world, it is celebrated as ‘Labour Day’. The day’s importance dates back to the 19th century. There are many instances in the history which indicate that the ‘Labour Day’ was first proposed in the 1880s. Some say it was in 1880, some say 1882, while some argue that it was in 1887, 1889, and 1894. However, whatever the date was, the central theme to observe the day as Labour Day was to celebrate Labour.

Another anecdote from the history indicates that May 1 was chosen as International Workers’ Day to celebrate 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, in the United States. The event was about workers protesting peacefully for an eight-hour day, after which it took an ugly turn. Several workers died, and scores were injured in the violence that took place during and after the demonstration.

The event snowballed, and there were protests and demonstrations held in different parts of the world. No such other event has had evoked such strong emotions in the labours or workers’ community.

What is May 1 about - Labour Day, International Workers’ Day, or May Day?

In different parts of the world, the day is celebrated in many forms. In parts of the world, it is marked as Labour Day. In some parts of the world, it is known as International Workers’ Day, whereas in many European countries it is celebrated as May Day too.

What is the importance of Labour Day or International Workers’ Day?

There are several arguments over the commencement of the commemoration of Labour Day. It is also because the date, May 1, has seen several labour movements and essential workers’ demonstrations throughout the 19th and 20th century.

However, one can call it by whatever name; the event & the date is observed to commemorate the labour’s and working classes’ hard work.

How & Why is Labour Day Important in India?

In India, the Labour Day is observed as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas. The day, May 1, is celebrated as a public holiday in India on account of Labour Day. There are several movements in Indian history, in the 20th century, which were led by communists and socialist political parties in India that prompted May 1 to be celebrated as Labour Day.

However, the first May Day celebration in India dates back to the year 1923. It was the Labour Kisan Party who had organised the May Day celebrations in Madras.

What are the Other Names of Labour Day in India?

In India, the Labour Day or International Workers’ Day is celebrated in many forms. It is also celebrated as ‘Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas’. There’s a public holiday observed on May 1.

In Hindi, the Day is also called as ‘Kamgar Din’; ‘Kamgar Divas’ in Marathi; ‘Karmikara Dinacharane’ in Kannada; ‘Uzhaipalar Dhinam’ in Tamil; and ‘Thozhilaali Dinam’ in Malayalam.

Historical Importance of May 1 in India?

Apart from the celebration of Labour Day on May 1, in India, it has a different tangent of importance altogether. Both, the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra had received their statehood on the same day in 1960. Both Gujarat and Maharashtra celebrate their foundation day on May 1.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2018 05:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).