Labor Day, or "El Dia de Trabajo" is a national holiday in Mexico. It is also known as May Day, the International Workers Day, or Dia Internacional de los Trabajadores.
It is observed in Mexico on the 1st of May every year as a way to celebrate the labor movement. On Labor Day, people in Mexico often gather for parades, festivities, and other demonstrations that focus on the promotion of workers’ rights. Both businesses and government offices are closed on this day.
The History of Labor Day in Mexico
Labor Day began its celebration in Mexico on the 1st of May, 1923. Although the holiday began its celebration six years after the Constitution of 1917, the constitution actually held a significant role in the holiday’s formation. It laid out a significant amount of social reforms and human rights changes that affected laborers across Mexico. The Constitution followed a period of time in nineteenth century Mexico where laborers were forced to work in very poor conditions. The labor movements in Mexico, additionally, were facing a large degree of repression, especially in places such as Cananea. This disparage led to the Cananea Strike of June 1906, an event also called the Cananea Riot.
The town of Cananea in Sonora was full of miners who fought for their rights and were eventually made to return to work without any changes to their situation. However, the event caused a chain reaction of other unrest throughout Mexico during the end of President Porfirio Diaz’s term. This unrest was the precursor to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. As the revolution carried on, a number of different groups attempted to seize power from the dictatorship that Diaz had kept in place. Emiliano Zapata was then amongst leaders of the urban working class who stood out in fighting for certain interests during this state of disorder.
The armed conflict that came out of this unrest is frequently considered one of the most significant moments in Mexican sociopolitical history. The Constitution of 1917 is testimony to the success of the new reforms. The labor laws that would result from this document demand quality for works without any kind of discrimination as well as a series of other changes. To celebrate these changes and this movement – one of the greatest upheavals in this period of Mexican history – the Labor Day holiday was created in Mexico, beginning in 1923. It serves as a time to commemorate the struggles Mexican laborers faced.
Celebrating Labor Day in Mexico
May 1st is celebrated in a number of countries in a number of different ways, including through the Maypole ceremony. However, the Mexican Labor Day is celebrated in a much different manner. It is largely considered a time for resting and reflecting. Workers on this day are able to come home and relax. The holiday is designed to give time to workers to spend with their families or friends. There are of course also a number of Labor Day parades that occur in major cities, including demonstrations that promote the rights of workers. Here are some examples:
Mexico City: Come see celebrations in the capital city of Mexico.
Guadalajara: Another large city that likes to celebrate on the holidays.
Puebla: Also home to the Cinco de Mayo battle, this city hosts many festivities in May.
The next time you are in Mexico during May, be sure to check out the Labor Day holiday. There are a number of ways to spend the day, such as attending events or simply by relaxing. Enjoy celebrating worker equality!
Source: Public Holidays