International Workers’ Day is a day to honour workers and show the unity of workers around the world. Today, it is a time to celebrate the success of the labour movement. 

Over 80 countries have a public holiday on this day. People join big events and enjoy many fun activities. Streets and buildings are decorated with flags and banners. On TV and radio, there are programs to help people understand more about this important day.

In Indonesia, since 2014, May 1st, has become a national holiday. In the capital city of Jakarta, the Indonesian Labour Union (KPSI) organises meetings, parades, and marches. Over 120,000 workers, 10,000 teachers, and thousands of others join these events in Jakarta and about 20 other provinces.
 

In the UK, people celebrate Workers’ Day on the first Monday of May. Traditional activities include Morris dancing, crowning the May Queen, and dancing around the maypole.

In Germany, Workers’ Day became official in 1933. It is a symbol of the connection between the state and workers. Workers don’t work on this day. People wear a red carnation flower to remember a big protest on May 1st, 1890.
 

In the Netherlands, in Fribourg, a small region, people sing songs, give out sweets, and give lucky coins to children to welcome spring. May 1st is not a day off in most places, but some companies let workers stay home.
 

In the USA, Workers’ Day started in Chicago. However, it is now called Labour Day and is celebrated on the first Monday of September. But May 1st still has meaning. Since 1886, it has become the day when new work contracts were signed. People in many cities hold large parades.

Socialists gather in Union Square in New York City on May 1, 1912

In Canada, Labour Day is also on the first Monday of September. It marks the end of summer. Big cities hold parades to thank workers. Families also shop for school supplies for their children, so stores often have big sales.

In Australia, Workers’ Day is celebrated on different days in different areas. On May 1st, some unions from the Socialist and Communist parties hold special events. In Western Australia, people celebrate on March 4th. In Queensland and the Northern Territory, it’s on May 6th. In Canberra, Sydney, and Southern Australia, it’s on October 7th.

In Japan, instead of one Workers’ Day, people enjoy Golden Week starting from April 29th. People get at least one week off, sometimes even 11 days. Many parks and shops offer special events to attract visitors.

In France, people decorate their homes and give friends a bunch of lilies of the valley flowers. This flower became a symbol of Workers’ Day after a protest on May 1st, 1891, where 10 people were shot, including a girl wearing white named Marie Blindeau. The flower reminds people of that day.
 

In Cuba, Workers’ Day is a big national holiday. On May 1st, 2012, hundreds of thousands of workers wearing red shirts and holding red flags joined a parade in Havana. They showed their strong support for building socialism.

Thousands of Cubans marched under the slogan “Defend and perfect socialism” at Revolution Square in La Habana on May 1, 2012.

In Viet Nam, May 1st is a national holiday to celebrate workers. After more than 35 years of change, Vietnamese workers have become stronger. They work in all industries and lead the country in development and modernisation.

Workers’ Day is celebrated in many countries in different ways, but it always shows respect and thanks to workers around the world. 

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