September holidays in france

Like 10 other dates on the calendar, May 1st is apublic holiday in France, but also in many other countries. While many people know that Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st, do you know exactly why, and the origins of this holiday?

Unlike other French public holidays, May 1st has its origins across the Atlantic, and more specifically in the United States.

It was on May 1st 1884 that American workers' unions decided to mobilize to demand the eight-hour day.

Why May 1st?

May day france lily of the valley

Across the Atlantic, this date corresponded to the first day of the business accounting year. Two years later, on May 1 1886, when these wage demands had still not been met, large-scale demonstrations were organized. Over 300,000 workers demonstrated peacefully across the country.

On May 3, in Chicago, several strikers die during a demonstration. The following day, again in Chicago, a bomb exploded and clashes resulted in several police casualties.

Although the media were not as developed as they are today, these demonstration

how is labour day celebrated in france

when is labor day celebrated in france