Hixnews - May Day

REUNITING CLASSMATES AND OLD FRIENDS OF HICKSVILLE SCHOOLS (FOR FREE)

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May 2025 Newsletter

Article Pages

Page 8 of 9

by, Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of 1977

May Day is a holiday that is celebrated internationally on May 1st. Similar to our Labor Day, May Day like Labor Day, honors workers and the struggles and contributions they have made to society.

The May Day that we are familiar with, celebrates workers. It can find its roots in the Haymarket Riot in Chicago in 1886 and the Pullman Strike of 1894. The Haymarket Riout May 4, 1886Haymarket strike in Chicago, started out as a protest to secure an 8 hour workday. When it was over, at least 15 people, including policeman, were dead, and 100 injured. May 1st was set aside in 1889 by trade unions and an international socialist group as a dayPullman Strike July 1894 to commemorate the riot. It was called Worker's Day. The Pullman Strike took place in Chicago too. The men were striking over the reduction of wages. The strike, started in May, erupted into violence in July killing approximately 30 people, but wounding many others. In 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September Labor Day. Grover Cleveland, who didn't want a holiday that associated itself with radical labor movements signed it into law.

May Day didn't always celebrate workers though. As early as the medieval period, the British Isles set aside May 1st to welcome spring. Dancing and wearing outrageous outfits were common traditions to mark the day. It is a Pagan festival, that even today, celebrates fertility and growth, with an emphasis on decorating with flowers.

One image of May Day though stands out in our minds. We have become familiar with the image of dancers, dancing around the the maypole. The maypole has long ribbons attached to it with flowers attached to the top. Dancers would weave 1890 Mayday in Hicksvillethe ribbons as they danced around the pole. Half the dancers would dance clockwise, while the rest dance counter-clockwiseMay Day 1920 in Hicksville weaving the ribbons into patterns of various colors. This tradition goes back to 14th century Wales. Eventually, it became a charming pasttime for children. When we think of maypoles, we think of innocence and simpler times.