Lesson 2 : May Day

May Day or International Workers Day is observed on May 1 all over the world
today to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to
establish an eight-hour workday. It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of
the world.
Since the Industrial Revolution(1) in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US,
the workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even
more hours a day.
On May 1st in 1886, inspired by the trade unions(2), half of the workers at the
McCormic Harvester Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour
workday. Two days later, a workers’ rally was held near the McCormic Hervester
Company and about 6000 workers had joined it. The rally was addressed by the
labour leaders. They urged the workers to stand together, to go on with their struggle
and not to give in to their bosses. Just at this moment some strikebreakers started

leaving the meeting place. The strikers went down the street to bring them back.
Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers. One striker
was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many of them
were badly injured.
The events of May 1, 1886 is a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited
until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and
better lives.