Día de los Trabajadores
Today is Día de los Trabajadores (International Workers’ Day) here in Uruguay. While it is recognized internationally (often called May Day), it is also a day of remembrance for those who fought and continue to fight for better working conditions, shorter hours, and fair wages.
This post contains a detailed narrative about the historical significance of May Day. If you are not a fan of history, feel free to scroll down to “In Uruguay” to read how it is celebrated here. If you enjoy history, you are welcome to read (and I hope you enjoy) the full blog in its entirety.
The origin of May Day is tied to events that began on May 1, 1886, and culminated in what is known as the Haymarket Affair in Chicago. On that day, workers began a strike advocating for eight-hour workdays. Strikes, demonstrations, and protests were held.
These demonstrations culminated on May 4, when police moved in on a gathering as participants were dispersing. A bomb was detonated, after which police advanced on the crowd. Several participants and police officers were killed, and many more were arrested.
Eight men stood trial and were convicted. Their backgrounds, involvement, and outcomes are as follows:
Samuel Fielden was an English-born Methodist priest who spoke at the event. He requested mercy and was pardoned by Governor Oglesby; his sentence was commuted to life in prison.
Michael Schwab, a German-born journalist who spoke briefly at the event before leaving for another rally. He also requested mercy and was pardoned by Governor Oglesby; his sentence was commuted to life in prison.
Louis Lingg was a German-born carpenter. He was not present at the event, but police searched his apartment due to his reputation as a radical and found bomb-making materials and constructed bombs. He died by suicide in his prison cell on the eve of his execution.
George Engel, a German-born activist, was at home at the time of the explosion. He was executed on November 11, 1887. “What is my crime? In that I have worked for the establishment of a social system where it is impossible that while some accumulate millions, others fall into degradation and misery.”
Adolph Fischer, a German-born typesetter, attended the rally and was associated with the Arbeiter-Zeitung. He was executed on November 11, 1887. “This world doesn't seem fair to me, and I am now fighting to the death to create a fair world.”
Albert Parsons, an American-born anarchist, led a march down Michigan Avenue on May 1 and spoke at the rally. He was executed on November 11, 1887. “If necessary, I will go to the gallows for the rights of labor, the cause of freedom, and the improvement of the lot of the oppressed.”
August Spies, a German-born editor of the Arbeiter-Zeitung, spoke at the rally. He was executed on November 11, 1887. “The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today.”
Oscar Neebe, a U.S.-born labor organizer, was not at the rally. He was arrested due to his association with the Arbeiter-Zeitung and efforts to revive it in the United States. Judge Gary sentenced Neebe to 15 years in prison.
No one was ever identified or charged with setting off the bomb.
May Day was officially recognized by the following:
The International Workers’ Congress in Paris (1889) ratified May 1, giving it international significance.
The International Workers’ Congress in Brussels (1891) passed a resolution reaffirming May 1 as a day in favor of the eight-hour workday and expanding it into a broader symbol of working-class struggle (PIT-CNT).
The International Workers’ Congress in Zurich (1893) restated this resolution.
In Uruguay
The first known demonstration recognized in Uruguay was held on May 1, 1983, while under dictatorship rule, demading “[f]ull enforcement of public freedoms in the country; an immediate increase in wages that would allow workers to recover their purchasing power; an urgent reactivation of the productive sector that would ensure jobs for all Uruguayans; freedom; amnesty; national reconstruction; wages; and work” (PIT-CNT)
In Uruguay, May 1 is observed by most businesses closing, giving workers the day off. Today, parades and events will be held throughout the city of Montevideo. And when I say most businesses close, I mean most (only essential services will be open—industries, financial institutions, stores, restaurants, government offices, schools—everything.
Citizens attend public events and also gather at home with family and friends. The country truly takes time to celebrate and reflect on the movement for workers’ rights. It is not just rhetoric. Día de los Trabajadores is not a day where workers are “honored” but still scheduled for a shift—it is an actual day off. Even my Spanish lesson for today was cancelled.
The United States does not recognize May Day as a holiday. Instead, it observes Labor Day on the first Monday in September. One reason often cited for this difference is the historical hostility toward unions and their role in advancing workers’ rights over corporate greed. I remember several years when my first day of college classes fell on Labor Day. I find it ironic that the country where the events leading to May Day occurred does not observe this international day of remembrance. It feels, frankly, a bit disheartening.
Given advance notice about the holiday through the LGBT Expats WhatsApp group, we went grocery shopping yesterday so we would be set for today and the rest of the weekend. Today’s meal will be linguine with pesto, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms (with fresh basil from my very ambitious single basil plant). On Sunday, we’re going full comfort food with spicy fajitas.
Today, houses will be cleaned, yards trimmed, and parrillas lit for cooking—an all-day process. I’ve noticed our neighbors on both sides preparing for gatherings with friends and family. Backyards are being tidied, awnings rolled out, and one neighbor has already started the slow, glorious process of grilling meat and vegetables.
Mikey and I, unfortunately, did not make the guest list for either gathering. A true tragedy. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll host our own mix of expats and Uruguayan friends—and I’ll have a parrilla of my own to preside over like a grill master with something to prove.
I apologize for the length of this post—I just found the history fascinating and wanted to share.
Sources:
https://www.pitcnt.uy/el-pit-cnt/historia/historia-del-1o-de-mayo https://www.google.com/search?q=seven+men+convicted+of+the+Haymarket+Affair&oq=seven+men+convicted+of+the+Haymarket+Affair&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAtIBCTIwNjkxajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workers%27_Day
Weather today: H22 C/L 13 C
Thank you for sticking with me. As always, please remember to be kind to yourself and kind to others. Today, maybe take a moment to recognize those who still work in unfavorable conditions—longer than eight-hour days, on holidays, and for wages that do not meet basic living needs.
