In
many countries around the world May 1st - International Workers' Day
- is a national holiday. My own country, alas, is not among them.
May
Day has its roots in the rites and traditions of our pagan ancestors
who celebrated the spring festival Beltane around this time of year.
It became associated with the labour movement in the late nineteenth
century, after the execution of labour organisers in Chicago, USA who
had been fitted up by local authorities led to a wave of
international solidarity, protests etc.
Today
many people and unions around the world continue to use the day to
remember the achievements of the labour movement over the years, of
which the 8 hour day and weekends may be the most notable and
frequently overlooked examples.