Aysor, Armenia
May 1 2010

Today is the International Labor Day

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated in many countries worldwide,
including Armenia. The holiday resulted from the labor union movement,
to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The
majority of countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1, and it is
popularly known as May Day and International Workers’ Day.

The celebration of Labor Day has its origins in the eight-hour day
movement held in Chicago on May 1, 1886, which advocated eight hours
for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
According to Kalend.ru, the strike and the demonstration to follow it
brought about a clash with the police.

Three years later, the International French Congress passed an act
making May 1 of each year a holiday.

According to the source, the Labor Day was first celebrated in 1890 in
Austro-Hungary, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the USA,
France and a number of other states. Today, 66 countries worldwide
celebrate May 1 as International Labor Day.