Thousands take part in Los Angeles marches and rallies to mark May Day (2024)

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Thousands take part in Los Angeles marches and rallies to mark May Day? ›

Thousands of people gathered in Hollywood for the first of three planned rallies and marches to celebrate International Workers Day, also known as May Day, continuing a tradition dating back to the 19th century.

May Day rallies and marches are taking place across Southern California Wednesday, marking the May 1, International Worker's Day with calls to action and solidarity among the labor force. May Day in America was born out of the 19th century fight for an 8-hour workday, as much longer shifts were common.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Workers and activists around the world marked May Day with largely peaceful protests Wednesday over rising prices, low wages and calls for greater labor rights. Pro- Palestinian sentiments were also on display.

More than 130 years later, people around the world still gather on May 1 to highlight the plight of workers. Workers in cities from Seoul to Paris to Buenos Aires gathered this year to protest stagnant wages, poor working conditions, high living costs, and anti-worker laws, according to the Associated Press.

May Day, also called Workers' Day or International Workers' Day, is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement. It is observed in many countries on May 1. In the United States and Canada, a similar observance, known as Labor Day, occurs on the first Monday of September.

Regardless of its origins, May 1st has become a day for workers to come together and demand better working conditions, fair wages and other labor rights.

Pack a mid-weight jacket, especially for evenings near the water. Bring short-sleeved shirts and lightweight pants, with a warmer layer. You may want shorts on the warmest days. Pack your swimsuit if you like, but after you take a look at the water temperature above, you might change your mind.

Hiring workers informally is not illegal.

Origins of May Day: Beltane

The Celts of the British Isles believed May 1 to be the most important day of the year, when the festival of Beltane was held. This May Day festival was thought to divide the year in half, between the light and the dark.

May Day has origins stretching back to the Middle Ages and the holiday is one of four annual cross-quarter days in the pagan calendar, marking the midpoints between solstices and equinoxes. The most famous cross-quarter day is Halloween, falling on Oct. 31, halfway between the fall equinox and the winter solstice.

Why can't you wear white after Labor Day? ›

Wearing white after Labor Day meant you were someone who had the means to have end-of-summer vacations. Wearing your whites beyond Labor Day was just, well… showing off. Wearing white was a sign of wealth.

May Day has been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist and anarchist groups since the Second International. May Day is one of the most important holidays in communist countries such as China, Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and the former Soviet Union countries.

After violence related to the Pullman railroad strike, President Cleveland and lawmakers in Washington wanted a federal holiday to celebrate labor - and not a holiday celebrated on May 1.

Also known as “Labour Day,” around the globe, this holiday is a significant one, but not celebrated in the U.S. Interestingly, the spring festival holiday actually has its origins in paganism, a fact that is unbeknownst to many raising a glass on May 1.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations include $10 margaritas all day long, mariachi music, DJ, even a mechanical bull because, according to Javier, "why not?" He wanted fun so that's what you'll get. Be sure to order the L.A. churro while you're there – it's the perfect bite of Mexico and L.A.

Federal Holidays in California 2024:

Presidents' Day: February 19th (also known as Washington's Birthday) Memorial Day (Monday, May 27, 2024) Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19, 2024) Independence Day (Thursday, July 4,2024)

Today, people celebrate May Day by making flower crowns and baskets, planting flowers for the spring, decorating their homes in bright colors to embrace the change, nature walks, picnics, and enjoying the outdoors!