A day for work, a day for play

On May 4, 1870, citizens of New Westminster, Canada, had the first organized new world celebration of May Day. It had been celebrated for centuries in countries around the world.

For some, May Day celebrates the arrival of spring, and most celebrations happen on May 1, with parties, music and dances. There are always lots of colors and lots of laughter.

In the United Kingdom, May Day is celebrated with dance and music. In addition to this, at festivals there is a Maypole in which children dance around. The Maypole is a famous part of the celebration. The Maypole is decorated in ribbons and flowers. According to Britannica, “Although later practices varied widely, the celebrations came to include the gathering of wildflowers and green branches, the weaving of floral garlands, the crowning of a May king and queen, and the setting up of a decorated May tree, or Maypole, around which people danced.”

While fun is to be had at this type of May Day celebration, it is not the only one bearing that name that happens on May 1. May Day is also associated with workers and, in this format, is known as International Workers’ Day. It is another Labor Day in many countries.

The Louis August Jonas Foundation states that “For over 130 years, International Workers’ Day has been a world holiday, though it’s not formally recognized as such in the U.S. The day remains a flashpoint for labor action and for celebratory demonstrations of worker solidarity.”

The holiday is celebrated on May 1 every year. It is an official holiday in 66 countries, including the United Kingdom, India, and Sweden.