In the year 1888 were many demonstrations and strikes in Australia and America (USA). It was because of assertion of the 8 hours workday. During these demonstrations many people got hurt and even some died. In remembrance of the victims the first of May became the day of action of the labor movement, this was in 1889. In 1890 the first of May was committed by crowd demonstrations and strikes the first time.
In Germany the “Erster Mai” was adjudged by national socialists to a regular holiday in 1933. Today there are still many demonstrations on the first of May in Germany. For example left-wing extremists organize yearly demonstrations and celebrations in Berlin-Kreuzberg to remember the 1st of May in 1987. On this day there were really big excesses because of a boycott of a planned census. Mostly on this demos are big affrays and riots, the police has big problems. So you see that the first of May isn’t a religious holiday.
The Name
In the USA they celebrate the ‘Labor Day’ on the first Monday of September.
In Germany the First of May has many different names, for example Tag der Arbeit (day of work), Internationaler Kampftag der Arbeitsklasse (International fighting day of the working class) or Maifeiertag (May holiday).
Customs in Germany
In Germany exist many customs on the first of May. The custom of setting up a May tree (Maibaum) doesn’t deal with the day of work (‘Labor Day’) but it is celebrated on the first of May too. In cities the setting up a May tree is mostly celebrated with a city festival. The tree is set up on the market square or village square. This tree is an ancient and even prechristian symbol of fertility.
There is another smaller form of May trees the ‘Maien’ or ‘Liebesmaien’. Those are brought from young men to the houses of their fancy women, this shall be a proof for their love. This custom is more celebrated in the North or East of Germany.
Another custom in Germany is the First-of-May-Tour. People go for a walk or hike in groups and while they are walking they drink much alcohol. The aim of this tour is mostly an economy in what you can sit outside or traditional May - or city festivals. Here, regional festivals take place for example in Schaafheim, Mosbach and Schlierbach (neighboring towns to Babenhausen). Mostly they are celebrated in sports clubs.
In many cities are parties on the 30 of April on which you can ‘dance into the May’. You call them ‘Tanz in den Mai’. The provenance of this party is the Walpurgis Night or night of the witches. It’s a legend what tells that witches celebrated a party on the Blocksberg during that night. written by Franziska Lindt
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