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The historical significance of May Day

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published May 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM EDT

General view of the great crowds of organized and unorganized workers who took part in the May Day demonstration in Union Square, New York, May 1, 1929. Following this open air meeting of New York's radical element, a great mass meeting was held in Madison Square Garden, where they were addressed by Norman Thomas, the Socialist candidate for president in 1928. All police reserves were held in readiness for possible riots and attacks on the homes of prominent men. (AP Photo)

Here & Now’s Indira Lakshmanan talks with Chicago Axios reporter Monica Eng

about the history of May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day.

The movement began in Chicago in 1886. It has since grown to be a worldwide day of demonstrations calling for higher wages and better working conditions.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

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