May Day

noun

1. the first day of May, long celebrated with various festivities, as the crowning of the May queen, dancing around the Maypole, and, in recent years, often marked by labor parades and political demonstrations.

May Day

noun

1. 1. the first day of May, traditionally a celebration of the coming of spring: in some countries now observed as a holiday in honour of workers
   2. ( as modifier )

      May-Day celebrations

Word History and Origins

Origin of May Day¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English

More About May Day

What is May Day?

May Day is the first day of May—observed by some as a holiday in celebration of springtime and by others as a day honoring workers and commemorating the labor movement.

May Day celebrations related to the coming of spring often involve several traditions originating with ancient Celtic religious practices, including the crowning of a May queen and dances around a Maypole, a tall pole decorated with flowers and ribbons.

When May Day is observed as a day to honor workers, it is often marked by parades and political demonstrations. This day is sometimes Labour Day, International Workers’ Day, or simply Workers’ Day. In the U.S., the holiday known as Labor Day occurs on the first Monday in September.

The distress call Mayday is not related to May Day (the distress call originates from a simplified spelling of the French term m’aidez, meaning “help me”).

When is May Day?

May Day is always on May 1.

Where does May Day come from?

The first records of the term May Day come from the 1200s. The word May refers to the month.

May Day is associated with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane, which marked the beginning of summer and is now observed in Scotland and Ireland on May 1. Like other springtime festivals with Pagan origins, May Day involves traditions based on fertility rituals and reverence for nature.

May 1 became associated with workers and the labor movement in the late 1800s when the date was chosen to commemorate labor protests at Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing May Day?

• spring
• maypole
• May queen
• tradition
• celebration
• festival
• labor
• labor movement
• workers
• parade
• demonstration
• protest
• march

How is May Day discussed in real life?

The name May Day is used for two observances—one celebrating spring and the other honoring workers and the labor movement. In some places, May 1 is called Labour Day, Workers’ Day, or International Workers’ Day.

Happy #MayDay!

These photos from our archive depict May Day merriment in the 1930s, including traditional dance, dancing around the maypole, and the coronation of the May Queen.

We have looked hard and thankfully cannot see @Florence_Pugh in any of them. pic.twitter.com/dClBlBRHq8

— The Museum of English Rural Life (@TheMERL) May 1, 2020

Protesters gather in US streets as "May Day" demonstrations take place around the globe https://t.co/ytpOve5ku7 https://t.co/6e4G0UTUfI

— CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2017

In celebration of May Day, my Union Town EP is available for free download today ONLY! Visit https://t.co/0kxoqx7A4l. #UnionTown #MayDay

— Tom Morello (@tmorello) May 1, 2017

Try using May Day!

True or False?

The date of May Day varies from year to year.