World Marked International Worker's Day

International Workers' Day usually takes place every year on May Day.

Some countries celebrate Labour Day on a different date which is significant to them, for example the United States opt for the first Monday in September.

The day has been recognised since the late 19th century, mainly thanks to the rise of trade unions.

The day is a public holiday with parades and demonstrations in many countries.

People take to the streets in major cities to observe the day.

A growing anti-capitalist movement in the UK has seen large scale protests in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Doncaster.

In London, these protests have sometimes ended in clashes with the police.

In 2018, protesters marched through London calling for trade union rights and international solidarity.

In 2019, women workers took part in a rally marking International Workers' Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The date was chosen to commemorate the Haymarket affair - the bombing which happened at a labour demonstration in Chicago, on May 4, 1886.

Workers were striking for an eight-hour day, and began their demonstrations on May 1.

The bomb killed seven police officers and at least four workers, while dozens of others were wounded in the blast.

The day is promoted by the labour, socialist and communist movements - as well as trade unions.

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