Find out the origin of Labor Day

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Labor Day is one of the most important dates in history, especially when it comes to the achievement of social rights. Contrary to what many people think, this day is not celebrated only in Brazil, but is also marked on the calendars of many other countries, such as France and Germany.

In this post, we will talk a little about the origin of Labor Day, a date marked by conflicts, but a source of pride for the whole world. Check out everything you need to know about this subject below!

A date marked by conflicts
Thirteen-hour days. This was the working hours of industrial workers in the city of Chicago, in the United States, in 1886. Unhappy with the situation, many took to the streets to demand better band database conditions. Among the demands, a reduction of the working day to eight hours was one of the main ones.

The demonstrations evolved into a general strike on May 1st. Police violently repressed the protests, resulting in the deaths of some demonstrators. A hostile atmosphere took over the city at the time, as workers threw bombs at the police (who in turn responded with gunfire).

The result was shocking: in total, seven police officers and twelve protesters were killed in the conflict. In honor of this sad episode, the Second Socialist International, meeting in Paris in 1889, decided to call for an annual demonstration, which would always take place on May 1st. This date became known as Workers' Day.

Labor Day in Brazil
The origin of Workers' Day in Brazil is somewhat controversial: there are reports that the date had already been celebrated here since 1895, however it was in 1924 that it actually became official, after a decree by former president Arthur Bernardes. At first, the day was marked by the fraternization of the working classes.

It turns out that, during the government of Getúlio Vargas, Labor Day began to take on special contours. The then president decided to use the date to publicize a series of benefits and labor laws , such as the minimum wage, in 1940, and the creation of the Labor Court, in 1941.

Since then, workers have achieved countless victories in the country. The 1988 Constituent Assembly decided to elevate workers' rights to a constitutional level. Guarantees such as vacations, the thirteenth salary and the minimum wage, for example, are included in Article 7 of our Constitution.

The meanings of May 1st
In short, Labor Day is not just any old day. It is used both to raise awareness among the working classes and to celebrate these countless achievements, which began in Chicago and spread throughout the world.

It is important to remember that episodes like the one that occurred in the United States cannot be repeated. And, to do so, it is necessary to pay special attention to this issue — which involves not only the legislator , but also the businesspeople themselves.

Did you like our post about the origin of Labor Day? Is the date important to you? Leave a comment and tell us your opinion!