Progress made in the material conditions for the Working Class has never been given over freely by the Capitalist Class. It has always been taken by a proletariat acting collectively to assert its power over the bourgeoisie systemically exploiting their labor. Nowhere is this more clear than in the history of May Day, the International Workers’ Day with explicitly American origins. Much work has been done to obfuscate May Day’s US origins in an attempt to erase organized labor from the history of our nation and to separate the American proletariat from the international workers’ struggle. However, despite these efforts to hide the radical history of organized labor, May 1st is still remembered around the world as the true International Labor Day in commemoration of the May Day General Strike and the Haymarket Massacre in 1886.

In the late 19th Century, the conditions of the American worker were abysmal, with the average work day being between 12 to 14 hours long and the average week being six and sometimes seven days. As the toilers were exploited in the factories and fields, the capitalists saw an, at the time, unprecedented growth in their wealth. The proletariat, witness to the systemic injustices of capitalism, increasingly demanded an 8-hour work week, despite being labeled as “radicals.” This growing movement known as the 8-hour Work Movement was led by two hugely important organizations in the history of organized labor, the Knights of Labor and the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, which would later become the American Federation of Labor. Both of these organizations would be comprised of large numbers of immigrant workers and outspoken socialists, communists and anarchists, which was a source of strength for the movement and a point of criticism from a xenephobic ruling class fearing workers’ solidarity and their radical ideology.

In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions made a proclamation that “eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor from and after May 1, 1886.” This two year window gave the movement the time to organize a nationwide general strike by coordinating with unions and radical organizations to call upon workers to, “…lay down your tools, cease your labor, close the factories, mills and mines” and demand “eight hours of work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what you will.” After years of planning and organizing across the nation, over half a million workers took to the streets on May 1st, 1886 in solidarity, refusing to go back to work until their demands were met.

In the epicenter of the national movement, Chicago, local law enforcement was being used to break up the strikers despite their peaceful tactics. Thousands of supporters for the strikers gathered in Haymarket Square to protest the police crackdown on the 8-Hour Movement, and once again, despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, riot police were released upon the crowd ordering their immediate dispersal. In response to the violence instigated by the state on behalf of the capitalist class they ultimately serve, an unknown protester lobbed a homemade bomb into the line of riot police, killing one and injuring several more. In the following chaos, over a dozen people were killed and hundreds were injured. Despite the fact that it was the police instigating the violence against peaceful protestors, the leaders of the 8-Hour Movement were subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy and murder, including two organizers who were not even present at the Haymarket Affair.

What followed was a prejudicial trial foreshadowing the bigotry, ignorance, and disdain for workers of the Red Scare. There were deportations of immigrants who participated in the strikes and protests and a brutal crackdown on the movement’s leadership. The eight national leaders arrested were found guilty on all charges, and four of the men were hanged by the fascist state despite the petitions of hundreds of thousands across the country. In the face of execution, the four organizers declared “Hurrah for anarchism!” and together sang the La Marseillaise, the then anthem for the international revolutionary movement.

To commemorate both the movement leading to a national general strike and to honor the organizers murdered by the state, May 1st was adopted as the International Workers’ Day by the Second Socialist International and more than 80 countries. In 1890, demonstrations were held all over the US, Europe, and Latin America to honor the fallen comrades and continue the demands of the 8-Hour Movement. The following year, President Grover Cleveland, fearing the international solidarity displayed by the proletariat and the growing ranks of socialists, anarchists, and labor radicals, declared the first Monday of September to be the “American Labor Day” in an attempt to sever US workers from their international comrades. Further attempts to obfuscate the American history of International Workers’ Day and our great radical tradition can be found in the obnoxious and xenophobic “Loyalty Day,” a “holiday” on May 1st instituted by President Eisenhower during the Red Scare to pledge one’s fealty to capitalism and the State and, ironically, to celebrate American history; apparently this did not apply to the history of American radicalism and organized labor. This seizure of May Day from the “red sympathizers” would ultimately be unsuccessful, though, and never gain any organic traction in our culture. Despite attempts from our fascist government to murder our leaders, hide our history, and scare the proletariat into submission, the labor movement would only grow increasingly radical in the face of these outright assaults on the American working class and our international comrades. For decades, the labor movement would continue to organize, strike, and demand the 8-Hour work day until 1938, when mounting pressure from unions and radical organizations resulted in the New Deal’s Fair Labor Standards Act, making it the legal workday nationwide.

This piece of American and International labor history demonstrates three primary points for us today. First, there is no end to the means that capitalists will go to ensure the workers’ continued bondage. The second point is that the struggle of the proletariat is a global struggle that affects all workers of all nations, and thus demands international solidarity. The third and final point is that incredible accomplishments can be made for the working class when we act collectively. Without the 8-Hour Movement and the tireless efforts of organizers and strikers, this victory may never have been achieved, for no material gains for the proletariat are ever handed over willingly. The working class must organize and fight against the capitalist ruling class and seize its destiny from the hands of those who exploit the millions of toilers. So, on this day, let us remember the power that we have when we act in concert for the betterment of us all. Happy May Day, and Solidarity Forever.

Comrade Tommy