Things to know about International Labour Day

A holiday is observed on May 1 to mark the International Labour Day. Following are the things to know about the International Labour Day.

• May 1, 2015 marks the 126th International Labour Day.
• It is also known as International Worker's Day, a public holiday for labourers and working communities in 90 countries in the world.
• International Labour Day is promoted by the international labour movement and celebrated on May 1 every year.
• The date May 1 was selected by the Second International, an organization of socialist and labour parties formed in Paris on July 14, 1889.
• May 1 is celebrated as International Workers' Day in order to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago on May 4, 1886.
• Since 1890, May 1 has been formally recognized as an annual celebration date for global proletariat and workers.

• International Workers' Day has been a statutory holiday in China since 1950.
• In Russia Labour Day is known as "The Day of Spring and Labor" since 1992.
• Germany's capital Berlin witnesses yearly demonstrations on May 1, the largest organized by labor unions, political parties and others.
• Trade unions can organise parades in major cities in France to defend worker's rights on May 1.
• While in Britain, May Day activities are held on the first Monday of May.

With inputs from agencies