A day to celebrate EVERYONE’S contributions!

Together, we all contribute to building civil society – making our communities better, safer places to live with each passing year.

History of International Workers’ Day

In the late 19th Century, trade unions and labour movements grew alongside a wide variety of industries. And while North Americans have been celebrating Labour Day since the 1880’s, International Workers’ Day is celebrated on every continent around the world.

This day was chosen to commemorate the Haymarket Affair of May 4th 1886 in Chicago. An unidentified person threw a bomb at the police, who responded by opening fire on the workers, killing four of them.

It was established to celebrate the contributions of every worker – regardless of their job function. So take some time today to recognize your co-workers… and if you happen to feel a little more politically inclined, get involved in one of the many organizations worldwide, that is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of living wages and working conditions.