Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

May 1st, 1886, Chicago, Illinois.

Today is May Day, celebrated in many countries as International Workers Day as a celebration of the accomplishments of the labor movement. Many people don’t realize, however, that the first May Day was celebrated right here in the United States, on May 1st, 1886 in Chicago.


On that day, more than 300,000 workers nationwide (with 40,000 in Chicago alone) walked out of their jobs all across the country, fighting for an eight-hour workday that today we take for granted. Workers organized, fought, and died for labor protections like the eight-hour workday, workers compensation,  unemployment insurance, sick leave, and the weekend. Today, that rich history of American labor activism lies dormant, but as the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the population grows, a revitalized, confident, and powerful labor movement is one of the best bulwarks our democracy has against oligarchy and authoritarianism. Today, I will be remembering the sacrifice of past generations of labor activists and I urge you to do the same.



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