May Day

May Day (May 1st) is International Worker's Day. Around the world, it's called Labour Day. This celebration of workers has it's origin in the Haymarket Massacre. You can read about this Illinois event which influenced the labor movement here and worldwide at this link:  http://www.illinoislaborhistory.org/haymarket/the-story-of-the-haymarket-affair.html

The event is mentioned in our American History textbooks but often the portrayal is far from accurate, according to the Illinois Labor History Society. On May 1, 1886 it is reported that approximately 80,000 workers marched up Michigan Avenue. The solidarity of the union workers must have shocked their employers! I hope you'll take a few minutes to read about what happened to call it a massacre. In short, a May 4th rally was nearly over when someone threw a dynamite bomb, and the police panicked and attacked those remaining, including their own men! The next day martial law was declared throughout the nation!

Have you seen the Google Doodle that celebrates workers today? http://time.com/3842897/labour-day-labor-2015-google-doodle/

How will you celebrate workers today?