Each year on May 1, over 160 countries around the world observe International Labour Day, also simply known as May Day or International Workers’ Day. This global phenomenon is dedicated to glorifying the efforts, sacrifices, and triumphs of workers while reinforcing the call for fair labour practices, social justice, and financial equity.
The Date and Its Historic Roots
This year, Labour Day falls on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The date is historically linked to the Haymarket Affair of 1886, a significant labour protest in Chicago where workers rallied for an eight-hour workday. The peaceful demonstration reportedly turned violent after a bomb was thrown during a confrontation with police, leading to multiple deaths and arrests. Despite the tragedy, the event became a pivotal moment in the international labour movement and cemented May 1 as a symbolic day of worker solidarity and rights advocacy.
ILO Theme 2025: Awaiting Announcement
As of now, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has not released the official theme for Labour Day 2025. However, themes in recent years have focused on key labour issues such as – Decent work and economic dignity, Workplace safety and occupational health, Digital transformation and the future of jobs, Gender equality and inclusive employment practices. The 2025 theme is expected to continue spotlighting critical conversations around work in the modern age.
Global Celebrations and Public Holidays
Labour Day is widely recognized as a public holiday in more than 160 countries, with celebrations ranging from political rallies and labour union marches to cultural performances and community events.
Countries including India, Germany, Brazil, China, and many others hold large-scale commemorations. In the Middle East, for example, Bahrain has declared May 1 a public holiday in 2025.
Why the US, UK, and Canada Observe Labour Day Differently
Interestingly, despite the Haymarket Affair originating in the United States, May Day is not a public holiday in the US, the UK, or Canada. These nations observe labour-related holidays at different times and with different historical contexts.
United States – Labour Day in September
In the US, Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. This alternative date was formalized in 1894 following the violent Pullman Strike, a national railway protest that led to widespread unrest. To distance American labour celebrations from the growing influence of socialist and communist movements tied to May Day, Congress designated September’s first Monday as the official holiday. It now marks the unofficial end of summer rather than a day of mass labour mobilization.
United Kingdom and Canada – Similar Divergence
The UK celebrates an “Early May Bank Holiday” on the first Monday of May, which occasionally aligns with May 1 but is not directly tied to International Labour Day in its current form. Canada, like the US, also observes Labour Day in September, with similar motivations rooted in domestic politics and distancing from radical movements abroad.
