Tiếng ViệtMay 1 – Sometimes we simply remember in our heads that it is a holiday, we can take a break from work, travel, and return to our hometown because right after April 30 – liberate the South, unify the land water. Therefore, the holiday is also longer, more meaningful.
May 1st – International Labor Day, so it is not only a meaningful day for Vietnamese workers but also a meaningful day for workers around the world. This is a day of celebration and action day of the international workers’ movement and of workers.
In English, this day is known by many names such as: May Day, Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day
1. History of International Labor Day
In 1884, in the large industrial city of Chicago, the Congress of the American Federation of Labor passed a resolution stating: “…From May 1, 1886, the working day of all workers shall be eight hours”. The reason May 1 is chosen because this is the beginning of an accounting year in most factories and enterprises in the US. On this day, a new contract between the worker and the owner will be signed. The capitalist class can foresee the worker’s decision without making excuses for refusal.
On May 1, 1886, because workers’ demands were not fully met, workers across the United States participated in strikes to pressure employers to comply with their demands. The first was the strike in the city of Chicago. About 40 thousand people not to plant. They held rallies and demonstrations in the city with the banner “From today no worker will work more than 8 hours a day! Had to do 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, 8 hours of fun!” The struggle attracted more and more people to participate. That same day, in other industrial centers in the United States, 5,000 strikes broke out with 340,000 workers participating. In Washington, New York, Baltimore, Boston… more than 125,000 workers won the right to work only 8 hours a day.
The protests in Chicago took place more and more fiercely. Employers fired workers on strike, hired people to work in other cities, hired provocateurs and police to suppress, sabotage the workers’ struggle. The conflicts broke out violently, causing hundreds of workers to die and injured, many union leaders were arrested… The report of the American Federation of Labor confirms: “Never before in American history has there been a revolt. such a strong, comprehensive rise in the industrial masses”.
On June 20, 1889, three years after the “tragedy” in Chicago, the Second Communist International convened in Paris (France). Under the leadership of Frederic Engels, the First Congress of the Second Communist International decided to take May 1 every year as the day of demonstration of forces and common struggle of the proletariat of all countries.
Since then, May 1 has become International Labor Day, a day of struggle of the working class, a day of rest and demonstration of forces, a day of workers and working people around the world.
Implementing the Resolution of the Second International, on May 1, 1890, for the first time, International Labor Day was celebrated on a world scale. Workers in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy and many other countries conducted strikes, rallies, and took to the streets to protest with banners “Working Day” 8 o’clock”, “Proletarians of all countries unite”.
International Labor Day 1/5 has become a holiday in many countries around the world, dedicated to honoring labor and building labor solidarity in the world; is a festival of the working class and working people around the world, a day to unite the working class and oppressed peoples around the world in the struggle for peace, national independence and democracy. and social progress.
In 1920, with the approval of Lenin, the Soviet Union (former) was the first country to allow people to take time off work on International Labor Day on May 1. This initiative was gradually adopted by many other countries around the world.
2. International Labor Day in Vietnam
In Vietnam, in February 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was born. Right in the first Platform, the Party identified the role and historical mission of the Vietnamese working class (GCCN) as the revolutionary leading class, the core of the industrial-peasant alliance. The struggle movement on May 1, 1930, opened the revolutionary climax of 1930 – 1931. For the first time, under the leadership of the Party and the guidance and mobilization of the Red Union, workers and farmers held a rally. celebrating the International Labor Day May 1, fighting for rights, expressing solidarity with the world’s workers.
On February 18, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 22c stipulating that May 1 is one of the official holidays of our country. On April 29, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 56 stipulating that workers are entitled to wages on the International Labor Day holiday on May 1. On May 1, 1946, for the first time in our country’s history, International Labor Day on May 1 was solemnly celebrated in Hanoi, with the participation of 200,000 working people. Since then, International Labor Day (May 1) every year is one of the great national holidays, the festival of the working class and the working people of Vietnam.
On May 1, 1951, in his appeal on the occasion of the International Labor Day, Uncle Ho determined “The focus of emulation is: The army emulates to kill the enemy and earns achievements. Workers emulate to increase production. Farmers compete Emulation of food production. Intellectuals emulate creation and invention. Emulation officers need, thrift, integrity and integrity. The whole people emulate and actively participate in the resistance war.” On May 1, 1958, Uncle Ho issued a “Call for International Labor Day” affirming: “Today, together with working people around the world, we warmly celebrate May 1 in our hearts. full of confidence and excitement, determined to overcome all difficulties, move forward to fulfill new tasks…”. On May 1, 1964, on the occasion of International Labor Day, Uncle Ho sent a message of praise to the youth on the construction site of Thanh Hoa – Vinh railway restoration, including the rebuilding of Ham Rong Bridge.
Since 1975, the celebration of International Labor Day on May 1 in Vietnam has become more and more meaningful when the entire Party, people and army celebrate Victory Day on April 30. This is an occasion for the working class and the working people of the country to review the tradition of fighting against foreign invaders; enthusiastically responded to patriotic emulation movements to express deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh – the great leader of our nation. He has made great contributions to helping our people become aware of the historical significance and impact of the celebration of International Labor Day on May 1, thereby becoming more and more determined to follow the revolutionary path led by the Party and State. Dear Uncle, has chosen, built and firmly defended the Socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.
