Why is Labor Day commemorated in Chile

Every May 1, Workers' Day is celebrated both in Chile and around the world. This date established unanimously in almost all the countries of the world is a way to pay honor to all the workers of Chicago, who in the year of 1886 began a strike to demand better working conditions.

Find out more about this day below and why we celebrate Labor Day in Chile.

Origin of Labor Day

On May 1, 1886, more than 80,000 workers went on strike in Chicago to demand, among other things, a reduction in working hours from 16 to 8, better conditions and a fair wage. Such was the impact of this demonstration that around 5,000 similar strikes were quickly declared throughout the United States.

These events led to a wave of repression and clashes with the police and the government in which several trade unionists died and are known as the Chicago Martyrs. Thus, after many weeks of struggle and with the help of the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor, of that same year, the demands of the workers were listened to and heeded.

In this way and in the following years, Labor Day was born as a day of protest and tribute to the martyrs of the Chicago strike.

In Chile , Labor Day has been celebrated since 1931 when President Carlos Ibáñez decreed by which this holiday was declared to celebrate the Labor Festival.