Short history about May day popularly know as workers day

Now it’s a day to rest, a day to celebrate, a day to be with our families for 24 hours. Meanwhile this day was brought into existence by the second international, a pan-national organization of socialist and communist political parties to commemorate the Haymarket affair which occurred in Chicago on 4 may 1886

Haymarket affair

The Haymarket blast or Haymarket riot was the aftermath of a bombing that took place at a labor demonstration on Tuesday may 4 1886 at Haymarket square in Chicago. This protest was said to have started as a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight-hour day and in reaction to the killing of several workers. During the peaceful protest an unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the public meeting.

The bomb blast that lead to gunfire from the police resulted in deaths and scores of people were wounded. After the riots, eight anarchists were later convicted for conspiracy through the internationally publicized legal proceedings. Seven were sentenced to death and one to a term of 15 years in prison.

The then governor of Illinois Richard J. Oglesby later changed the death sentence of two of the defendants to life in prison. One of the defendants committed suicide in jail rather than face the gallows while four were hanged on Nov 11, 1887.

In 1893, a new governor emerged and pardoned the remaining defendants and criticized the trial.

The Haymarket affair is generally considered significant as the origin of international workers day or May Day and the point of the incident still remains remarkable in Chicago till present.

Not minding the repression and several discouraging achiness that came up after the May 4 bombing, the Chicago wage earners only linked their forces and stiffened their resistance.

Popular pressure continued for the establishment of the 8-hour day, leading to a convention of the American federation of labor (AFL) in 1888, the union decided to campaign for the 8-hour day again, 1 may 1890 was agreed upon for workers to strike in pursue of eight-hour work day. In 1891, the second international recognized May Day as annual event. In 1904 social democratic party were called on to demonstrate actively on May first to establish eight hours work day and get workers rights. Unions of all countries were urged to go on strike on May 1, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers.

Today we celebrate past heroes and freedom. Happy international workers day.