On Monday there will be rallies in Seattle, a city that has a history of May Day protests, in Minneapolis, in Miami and in at least 200 other U.S. cities in 41 states.

Related: The Surprising History of Cinco de Mayo When Is May Day 2025? May Day is on May 1st every year. This year, May 1, 2025, falls on a Thursday. What Is May Day? What Is Its Purpose?

In the 19th century, May Day took on a new meaning in the U.S. when May 1 was declared International Workers’ Day amid a labor movement for worker’s rights and an eight-hour workday.

The history of May Day, the holiday honoring the organized labor movement (it's also called International Workers' Day), was likewise born out of blood.

Happy May Day! Historically, May Day has served as both a time to celebrate the season as well as serve as a backdrop for social agendas, but attitudes and observances ...

May Day took on a labor rights meaning during the Industrial Revolution, when thousands of working men, women and even children died annually due to harsh conditions. Laborers commonly worked 10 ...

May Day was first celebrated thousands of years ago as a spring festival that included dancing – in some places using ribbons and circling a “Maypole” – singing and eating cake.