Bulgaria marks 1st May
Updated on: 01.05.2009, 10:08
Published on: 01.05.2009, 10:02
The day of labour and the international workers’ solidarity – 1 May – is international celebration of the working people.
The day is official celebration in a range of countries among which China, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Thailand, Russia, Bulgaria.
In USA and Canada it is marked on the first Monday of September.
The fest was celebrated by the Third Reich under the name Reichsarbeitstag.
The appearance of the fest is related to the international socialist movement in 19 century and the workers’ protests for respecting the social rights.
The beginning is put in Chicago in 1886 when the first in the history joint international striker is organized. 300 000 people go on strike with the demand for the introduction of 8-hour working day. After 3 days of protests, the strike is dissipated while five of the strikers are killed.
In the following years 1 May gradually starts being celebrated in almost every country, but mainly in the socialist and communist states where manifestations, military parades and brigades are being organized.
The International day of labour is marked for the first time in Bulgaria in 1890. During the years of communist Bulgaria the celebration was marked with big-scale parades and meetings throughout the country.
Currently the celebration is an official non-working day but the state restricts itself from holding any mass celebration of the fest. Most often the day is marked by the left parties and movements.
