May Day is a holiday of all people, labor, Workers' Solidarity Day, a holiday of peace and spring. Learn more about how this day is celebrated around the world

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May is considered a special period all over the world. The cold months are finally coming to an end, so many people in different parts of the world are taking the opportunity to celebrate the coming summer. May 1st is International Labor Day, a public holiday in many countries celebrating workers and their rights. But May Day holidays also have their roots in pagan or ancient religious traditions.

How do people celebrate May 1 in different parts of the world?

International Workers' Solidarity Day, also known as Labor Day

Today, this international holiday is celebrated all over the world, including in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Thailand, Turkey, Korea, African countries, etc.

The modern format of Labor Day originated in the middle of the 19th century in the labor movement. The demands of the workers were simple - the introduction of an 8-hour working day. It all started with a demonstration in Australia in 1856, then they came to the USA and Canada. In 1890, it reached Paris, where May 1 was declared the "Day of Solidarity of Workers of the World." The success of the demonstrations led to the celebration becoming an annual event. In the same 1890, demonstrations thundered in Warsaw, and from 1897 they became massive in many countries of the world.

Today, May 1, Germany celebrates the day of freedom, peace and equality. May 1 is an official holiday and day off in all federal states. But the name of this holiday can be determined by each land independently.

International Workers' Solidarity Day has been an important part of Sweden's history for almost 100 years. This day was declared a public holiday in 1938 and every year thousands of workers march to the union headquarters in Stockholm.

Demonstrations are also taking place in many other countries of the world, including France, Greece, Japan, Pakistan and Great Britain.

However, in some countries of the world, Labor Day is celebrated on a different day. For example, in the US it is the first Monday of September, in Australia it is the first Monday of March, April or May, depending on the location.

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Spring Day or May Day

An annual public holiday celebrated in many countries around the world in honor of the transition from spring to summer. This is a very old tradition for most countries of the northern hemisphere. The first mentions date back to 240 or 238 BC, when the day of the flower goddess Flora was celebrated in Rome.

In Italy, this tradition has been preserved to this day. The first of May in the country is considered the happiest day of the year. On this day, young people offer their hands and hearts to their beloved girls. Throughout the day, people sing songs, dance and set off fireworks in the streets. Many flowers decorate the temples inside and outside.

In Sicily, on May 1, people go out into the meadows and pick wild flowers that bring happiness.

In France, it is customary to give each other lilies of the valley. According to tradition, the received twig must be carefully stored until the next holiday.

In Spain, May 1 is called Green Santiago, a holiday of lovers and flowers. Girls, accompanied by their loved ones, walk through the streets with roses and carnations.

In the Netherlands, the tulip festival is held on this day.

Finns hold a spring student carnival on the first day of May.

In Hawaii, May 1 is known as the day of flower lei garlands - traditional accessories of the country.

In Scotland, this day is celebrated with the pagan ritual of the Beltane Fire Festival. Beltane marked the beginning of summer, when cattle were driven out to summer pastures.

In Serbia, May Day morning is a folk tradition, on this day people go out into nature or even leave the day before and spend the night by the fire.

Each country has its own unique way of celebrating this day, but most of the world's population spends May 1 with their families, relax in nature, organize picnics, give each other flowers and have a festive mood.

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