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Labour Day

Labor Day celebrates workers and their rights all around the world
Labor Day

Labour Day (Labor Day) celebrates workers and their rights all around the world. It stems from labor unions’ demands for better labor laws, including more days off.

Most countries celebrate Labour Day or May Day on May 1st, which has been designated by the United Nations as International Workers' Day. It is celebrated around the world as a day to honor labourers and the working classes.

In some countries, demonstrations and protests are held to fight for better workers’ rights while in most countries, the day is a holiday for relaxation away from work where family activities are common. 

International Workers' Day (Labour Day / May Day) originates from the labour movements in the 19th century when the trade union and labour movements were growing in the U.S. At the time, most workers worked 10-hour days and were calling for workers to have eight hour days so they could have equal time for recreation and for rest. May 1 was chosen to be International Workers' Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a strike was held in support of the 8-hour day. 

Today, it is an international holiday where many countries across the globe celebrate a day off of work. If the date falls on a weekend, most countries celebrate it on the following Monday as a public holiday and day off of work. 

There are a few countries that celebrate Labor Day on a different date, such as the United States and Canada that celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September.