April 30, 2024 May Day

While the Romans may have been the first to celebrate May Day with the Floralia, or Festival of Flora to honor the Roman goddess of flowers in 200 BC, today we are more familiar with the Celtic Beltane, believed to have begun in 900 AD and celebrated in England, Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.  Thank you Margie for bringing us information about the many rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops, and people, and to encourage growth. Beltane associated with Beltane, a time to rejoice in the return of the land’s fertility and putting the livestock out to pasture.   Beltane, which roughly translates as ‘bright fire’, was traditionally a time when people danced around the May Pole and special bonfires were kindled, as their flames, smoke, and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. 

May Day took on a new meaning during the industrial revolution, when a gathering in Haymarket Square, Chicago turned deadly.  During this time, men, women and children were dying every year from poor working conditions and long hours.  In an attempt to end these inhuman conditions, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions held a convention in Chicago to demand an 8-hour day.   On May 1, hundreds of workers (40,000 in Chicago) walked off their jobs, including the McCormack Reaper Works in Chicago, where a clash of police and workers resulted in the death of workers.  A rally was held at Haymarket Square to protest the killing of workers.  As the rally was winding down, someone threw a bomb into the crowd, killing police officers and civilians.   Eight men labeled as anarchists were convicted of murder and seven were executed, despite there being no solid evidence linking the defendants to the bombing.  May Day was established to honor workers' history the Haymarket Martyrs and was embraced by many governments worldwide.  In the USA, Labor Day was designated as the first Monday in September at that time to divert attention from workers' history, the martyrs, and the day's perceived connection to socialism and communism.  Do you think it is time to return to the real workers' day, May Day?

Join us on May 7 as we discuss banned books, and the larger issue of censorship.