This Monday’s May Day bank holiday may just seem like another day off school and work for many. But May Day is steeped in history which will be celebrated this weekend across the world and in Sheffield.
What is May Day?
May Day is a yearly celebration on the 1st of May which has roots dating back over two thousand years.
It roughly falls halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, meaning that it traditionally marked the beginning of summer for the Celts during the Dark Ages. This was a cause for celebration, and for centuries the date was marked by traditional Morris Dancing around a maypole and the selection of an honorary ‘May Queen’ from communities across Britain.
More recently though, it’s taken on a modern significance as May Day became the date chosen to mark International Workers’ Day in 1889, after the Haymarket Affair in Chicago during the campaign for an eight-hour working day.
Since then, it is commemorated annually by trade unions and workers by organising rallies on various scales to celebrate their history.
Why is it a bank holiday?
In 1978, Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan introduced a new bank holiday on the first Monday of May to coincide with International Workers’ Day, in order to reward workers for their long winter of labouring.
There have been multiple attempts to move this bank holiday to a later time in the year due to the number of days off during Spring, although none have been successful.
What is the purpose of International Workers’ Day?
Martin Mayer, Secretary of the Sheffield Trade Union Congress (TUC), told us: “It is multifaceted really – it’s a day to recognise our history as a trade union movement, our victories, our defeats and the pains and struggles we’ve been through.
“We come together to display what we’re doing as a trade union movement in our city and show our links internationally around the world.”
How has it been celebrated in Sheffield in the past?
Following the proclamation that International Workers’ Day would take place on May Day, the Sheffield Trades and Labour Council held its inaugural march in 1890, which is said to have attracted thousands of participants.
A yearly rally, celebrating the city’s fight for workers’ rights and social justice was then held every May Day until 1989, when interest faded. However, in 2019 the current TUC board restarted the tradition and since then marches have been held for the past five years.
What are this year’s plans in Sheffield for May Day?
The 2023 rally will begin at midday on Devonshire Green before it heads down to the City Hall, via the Moor. From there, speeches will be made from representatives ranging from the Chile Solidarity Campaign to Extinction Rebellion and various trade unions.
Mr Mayer said: “This is a good-natured family fun day where you can expect to see balloons, music, banners – it will be a colourful celebration of our movement.”
The day will culminate with a screening of two films by the radical director Ken Loach at the Quaker Meeting House in collaboration with Community Kino – A Bed of Roses will begin at 2.30pm and at 6.30pm The Spirit of ’45 will be shown.