Holidays

May Day - Labor Day

The Czech Republic, like most countries, celebrates Labor Day on the first of May. The origins of this holiday are based on a significant event from America’s labor movement history. The Knights of Labor and other labor unions went on strike in Chicago on May 1, 1886 in an attempt to shorten the workday to eight hours. Clashes between strikers and the police resulted in the Haymarket Massacre on May 4, 1886. By 1889, the International Working Men’s Organization, The First International, had declared the first day of strikes, May 1, an international working class holiday in commemoration of the Massacre. Unfortunately, Czech citizens were required to celebrate the holiday during the communist era; therefore after 1989 they usually observe this holiday quietly with family.