History of Labour Day in Timeline

Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated in many countries to honour the achievements of the labour movement. The date varies; in North America, it's the first Monday of September, while elsewhere it's often the first Monday in May. The holiday originated from the eight-hour day movement, which campaigned for a balanced division of the day into work, recreation, and rest.

1900: First Celebration of Labour Day

In 1900, the first Labour Day was celebrated, following the Labour Day Act of 1899. The day was set as the second Wednesday in October.

1901: Holiday Moved to First Monday in May

In 1901, the Labour Day holiday in Queensland, Australia, was moved to the first Monday in May to ensure a long weekend for workers.

1903: First Observance of Labor Day

In 1903, Labor Day was initially observed in the Philippines through a protest by the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina in Manila during the American colonial era.

1908: Official Recognition of Labor Day

In 1908, Labor Day was officially recognized as a holiday in the Philippines.

1910: Holiday Date Moved

In 1910, the Labour Day holiday was moved to the fourth Monday in October.

1913: First Official Commemoration

In 1913, the first official commemoration of Labor Day took place in the Philippines.

May 1923: First Labour Day in India

In May 1923, the first Labour Day was celebrated in India, organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in Chennai (then known as Madras).

1934: Part of the British West Indian labour unrest

In 1934, The British West Indian labour unrest began, of which the 1937 labour riots led by Tubal Uriah Butler were a part

1937: Labour Riots Led by Tubal Uriah Butler

In 1937, Tubal Uriah Butler led labour riots in Trinidad and Tobago, which influenced the proposal to commemorate Labour Day on the anniversary of these riots.

May 1938: Labour Strikes in Jamaica

In May 1938, grossly underpaid workers across Jamaica organized labour strikes, which led to unrest, 46 deaths, 429 injuries and numerous arrests, marking a major push for labour rights in the country.

1939: Part of the British West Indian labour unrest

In 1939, The British West Indian labour unrest ended, of which the 1937 labour riots led by Tubal Uriah Butler were a part

1942: Workers' Strike in The Bahamas

In 1942, a significant workers' strike began on June 7th in The Bahamas, which is commemorated as the traditional date of Labour Day in the country.

1960: Establishment of Labour Day in Jamaica

In 1960, Premier Norman Manley introduced a bill to abolish Empire Day and replace it with Labour Day to commemorate the 1938 labour strikes in Jamaica.

1962: Violent Clash During Labour Day March

In 1962, a politically motivated clash during a Labour Day march in Kingston, Jamaica, resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to several police officers, who used tear gas to control the crowd.

1966: Ban on Labour Day Marches

In 1966, conflicts during Labour Day marches in Kingston, Jamaica, led authorities to ban Labour Day marches in the city.

1972: Labour Day Declared a Holiday

In 1972, Labour Day, or Youm-e-Mazdoor, was officially declared a holiday in Pakistan under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as part of the country's first labour policy.

1972: Redefinition of Labour Day

In 1972, Prime Minister Michael Manley redefined Labour Day in Jamaica with the theme "Put Work into Labour Day," encouraging Jamaicans to participate in community projects, starting with beautifying the Palisadoes Road.

1973: Labour Day Established

In 1973, Labour Day was proposed as a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago to be commemorated every 19th of June, on the anniversary of the 1937 labour riots led by Tubal Uriah Butler.

May 1977: Taksim Square Massacre

In May 1977, Demonstrations at Taksim Square carries historical significance due to the Taksim Square Massacre.

1980: Ban After Military Coup

After the 1980 military coup in Turkey, the observation of "Labour and Solidarity Day" by workers and unions was banned for many years.

1980: Halt of Large-Scale Activities

In 1980, under Prime Minister Edward Seaga, large-scale Labour Day activities were halted in Jamaica, leading to an eight-year absence of organized projects.

1989: Revival of Labour Day

In 1989, Michael Manley returned to office and fully revived Labour Day in Jamaica, with the government introducing themes to guide national activities.

1995: Replacement of International Workers' Day

In 1995, the government of Kazakhstan replaced International Workers' Day with Kazakhstan People's Unity Day.

1999: Labour Day as Three-Day Holiday

In 1999, Labour Day in the People's Republic of China was a three-day statutory holiday.

2007: End of Three-Day Holiday

In 2007, the three-day statutory holiday for Labour Day in China was reduced.

2008: Labour Day as One-Day Holiday

From 2008, Labour Day in the People's Republic of China was reduced to a one-day statutory holiday.

2009: "Labour and Solidarity Day" as Official Holiday

In 2009, "Labour and Solidarity Day" became an official holiday in Turkey after being banned for many years following the 1980 military coup.

2013: Request for Labour Safety Day

In 2013, Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati requested that April 24th be declared Labour Safety Day in Bangladesh to commemorate the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse.

2013: Official Establishment of Labour Day in Kazakhstan

In late 2013, Labour Day was officially established as a public holiday in Kazakhstan, celebrated on the last Sunday in September.

2024: Labour Day as One-Day Holiday

In 2024, Labour Day in the People's Republic of China was still a one-day statutory holiday.

2025: Labour Day as Two-Day Holiday

In 2025, amendments to the national holiday regulations in China increased the statutory Labour Day holiday to two days, May 1st and 2nd.

2025: Extended Labour Day Holiday

In 2025, the Labour Day holiday in China ran from May 1st to May 5th, with April 27th designated as a working day to compensate for the extended holiday.