The History of May Day: From Ancient Rites to Workers' Rights

A traditional Maypole dance during a village May Day festival

Every year on May 1st, people around the world celebrate May Day—but depending on where you are, the holiday might look dramatically different. Some gather with ribbons and flowers to welcome spring, while others march in the streets for labor rights. How did one date come to hold such diverse meaning? The answer lies in the rich, layered history of May Day, a holiday that has evolved across centuries and continents.

May Day’s origins can be traced back to ancient pagan festivals. In pre-Christian Europe, communities celebrated Beltane in Celtic traditions or Floralia in Roman culture—festivals that marked the return of warmth, fertility, and agricultural abundance. These rites often included bonfires, dancing, and floral decorations. The familiar image of children dancing around the maypole comes from these early European customs, symbolizing life, growth, and the changing seasons.

But May Day’s meaning shifted dramatically in the late 19th century, particularly in North America and Europe. During the height of the Industrial Revolution, workers faced dangerous conditions, long hours, and low pay. A growing labor movement began demanding better protections—most notably, the eight-hour workday. On May 1, 1886, hundreds of thousands of American workers went on strike to push for this demand, leading to a series of events that would forever link May Day with the fight for workers' rights.

Just days later, the peaceful protests turned violent during the Haymarket Affair in Chicago. A bomb exploded at a rally, killing several police officers and civilians. Though the identity of the bomber was never confirmed, labor activists were arrested and tried in a widely criticized court case. The Haymarket Affair became a global symbol of the struggles faced by workers and the harsh responses to their calls for justice.

In 1889, the Second International—an organization of socialist and labor parties—declared May 1st International Workers’ Day in honor of those who fought and died during the labor movement. Since then, May Day has become a major date for worker demonstrations, especially in Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. In many countries, it’s a public holiday, often marked by marches, strikes, and speeches advocating for social and economic equality.

Interestingly, the United States—despite being the birthplace of the 1886 labor movement that inspired International Workers’ Day—does not officially recognize May Day as a labor holiday. Instead, Labor Day is celebrated in September, a decision made in the 1890s by President Grover Cleveland, who sought to distance the American labor movement from its more radical European counterparts.

Today, May Day continues to reflect both of its legacies. In some communities, it’s still a celebration of spring, fertility, and natural renewal. In others, it remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles for fair labor practices, economic justice, and workers’ dignity. Whether you’re weaving ribbons around a maypole or raising a protest sign, May Day invites us to honor both the cycles of nature and the people who labor to sustain society.