May Day
(a) What is May Day? (b) How and why is it observed?
(c) What is the background of it? (d) How do the workers enjoy the privileges
today? (e) What is the significance of the day?
May Day is an international holiday of working people.
The 1st May is the International Workers Day. It commemorates the historic
struggle of working people throughout the world. It is recognised in all the
countries of the world. As a result of the sacrifice of the martyred workers in
1886 today workers enjoy all the privileges. Today they get a minimum wage.
They have job security, safety laws and eight-hour working time etc. On May 3,
1886, police fired into a crowd of strikers at the McComick Harvest Machine
Company, Chicago. They killed at least one striker and five or six others were
seriously wounded and left an undetermined number of workers injured. From the
beginning of the Industrial Revolution, people in factories had to work very
long shifts, lasting up to fourteen or even more hours a day. In the 1880s a
new movement calling for an eight hour day inspired both Labour Unions and
unorganised workers. May day has been a symbol for the workersall over the
world. On this day they renew their vow to fight against oppression and for
human rights. It is the day which inspires the workers to be united to realize
their demands. On the whole•, May Day is the day of international unity of the
working class. This day reminds the workers to stand up against exploitation
and to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
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