May Day, on May 1, is a holiday with two very different traditions. In many places, it is a joyful celebration of spring, with flowers, maypole dancing and May baskets left on neighbors' doorsteps. In much of the world, May 1 is also International Workers' Day, honoring labor movements and workers' rights, a tradition with surprising roots in Chicago. Both traditions celebrate new beginnings and community.
History of May Day
Spring festivals on or around May 1 date back to ancient times. The Romans celebrated Floralia, honoring Flora, goddess of flowers. In Celtic tradition, Beltane marked the start of summer with bonfires. In medieval England and other parts of Europe, villagers gathered flowers, crowned a May Queen and danced around a maypole decorated with ribbons.
In the United States, May Day traditions included May baskets: small baskets of flowers and treats left on a neighbor's doorstep. The giver would knock and run away, and in some traditions, the receiver would try to catch them.
May 1 also became International Workers' Day because of events in America. On May 1, 1886, workers across the United States went on strike for an eight-hour workday. In Chicago, a protest days later led to the Haymarket affair, in which a bomb and gunfire killed police officers and civilians. In 1889, an international meeting of socialist and labor groups chose May 1 to commemorate the movement. Today, May 1 is a public holiday in many countries, though the U.S. celebrates Labor Day in September.
Why May Day Matters
May Day celebrates the arrival of spring and the joy of renewal after winter. Traditions like May baskets encourage kindness and neighborliness.
As International Workers' Day, it also reminds people of the struggles behind rights many take for granted, such as the eight-hour workday and weekends.
The two traditions may seem very different, but both are about community: neighbors sharing flowers, and workers standing together. Learning about both offers a richer picture of history and how celebrations evolve over time.
How to Celebrate May Day
- Leave a May basket: fill a small basket with flowers or treats for a neighbor.
- Dance around a maypole: join a community celebration or make a mini version.
- Make a flower crown: weave fresh flowers into a crown.
- Learn labor history: read about the eight-hour workday movement.
- Plant flowers: start a spring garden.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, May Day can be a time to recognize employees' contributions, share the history of the eight-hour workday, or bring fresh flowers to brighten the office. In classrooms, students can make paper May baskets for school staff, learn maypole dances, or study the history of labor laws and child labor reforms. At home, families can make May baskets with flowers and cookies for neighbors, create flower crowns, or plant seeds in the garden. Leaving a surprise basket on a neighbor's doorstep is a sweet way to share the season.
Fun Facts About May Day
- Romans honored Flora, goddess of flowers, in spring.
- May baskets were a popular American tradition.
- May 1 became International Workers' Day in 1889, inspired by U.S. labor strikes.
May Day FAQs
When is May Day?
May Day is May 1.
What is a maypole?
A tall pole decorated with ribbons that dancers weave around in spring celebrations.
Why is May 1 International Workers' Day?
It commemorates the 1886 U.S. strikes for an eight-hour workday.
Is May Day a holiday in the U.S.?
No; the U.S. celebrates Labor Day in September.