May Day, observed on May 1, is recognized around the world as International Workers’ Day, a time to commemorate the historic struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement. In the United States and Canada, however, a similar observance, Labor Day, is officially celebrated on the first Monday in September. This distinction reflects a shift in how labor history has been recognized nationally, even though May Day has deep roots in American history.
The origins of May Day in the U.S. are closely tied to the Haymarket Affair, a pivotal moment in the fight for the eight-hour workday and improved working conditions. While May 1 remains a significant date globally, its prominence in the United States has diminished over time, with Labor Day becoming the more widely recognized holiday.
Today, May Day continues to serve as a point of reflection and renewed attention to workers’ rights and labor conditions. Recent labor activity, both nationally and locally, has highlighted ongoing concerns related to workplace safety, fair wages, and collective bargaining. In the New York City area, recent and potential labor action developments in sectors such as healthcare, building services, and transportation underscore how these issues remain relevant to everyday life.
Explore May Day Through Library Resources
Interested in learning more? You may explore labor history and current events through the library’s collections:
- Find books in our library on labor movements, workers’ rights, and social history, including:
- Avrich, P. (1984). The Haymarket tragedy. Princeton University Press.
Shelf Location: HX846.C4 A97 1984
- David, H. (1958) The history of the Haymarket affair: A study in the American social-revolutionary and labor movements (2nd). Russell & Russell.
Shelf Location: HX846.C4 D3 1958
- Messer-Kruse, T. (2012). The Haymarket conspiracy: Transatlantic anarchist networks (1st) University of Illinois Press.
Available online
- Explore international newspapers to gain a global perspective on May Day and labor movements through library databases such as Nexis Uni.
- The library also offers a free subscription to The New York Times, available with your City Tech email.
Students are encouraged to visit the library website to discover more resources or stop by in person to browse the shelves and explore related titles in the HX (labor and social movements) section.