From Workers' Uprisings to Dacha Barbecues: The History and Traditions of May 1st Holiday

May 1st in Russia is known as the Spring and Labor Day—a date that many perceive merely as an additional day off and the start of the dacha season. However, the history of this holiday dates back to the late 19th century and is closely tied to the struggle of workers for their rights. In this article, we will explore the origins of May 1st, its significance across different eras—before, during, and after the USSR, where it is celebrated today, how it is commemorated, and what modern traditions exist, along with the reasons for dissent against the holiday. This serves as a sort of tour: from the revolutionary demonstrations of the past to today's May picnics in nature.

Historical Roots of May 1st Holiday

The origins of May 1st as Workers' Day began in the late 19th century. During this period, the labor movement worldwide was gaining momentum, demanding improved working conditions. One of the main demands was the introduction of an eight-hour workday instead of the grueling 12–15 hour days in factories. On May 1, 1886, American workers in Chicago held a massive rally to press these demands. Strikes and demonstrations occurred in other U.S. cities, often clashing with the police. These events became known as the Haymarket Riot—where lives were lost during the dispersal of the Chicago rally, causing a significant global uproar.

In memory of the events in Chicago and in support of the worker struggle, socialist organizations at the Paris Congress of the Second International in July 1889 decided to annually celebrate Workers' Solidarity Day on May 1st. By 1890, the first May Day gatherings and demonstrations occurred in various countries, advocating for reduced working hours and improved labor conditions. Thus, the international holiday of May 1st was born—a day representing the struggle of workers for their rights. Initially, it had a strongly protest-oriented and solidarity character: workers around the world took to the streets to assert their rights.

May Day in Pre-Revolutionary Russia

The idea of May Day also penetrated the Russian Empire in the late 19th century. The first commemoration of May 1st as a day of solidarity among workers took place in 1890 in Warsaw (then part of the empire), where around 10,000 workers staged a strike. The following year, in May 1891, the first May Day celebration occurred in Saint Petersburg, organized by a clandestine Marxist group (the group of M. Brusnev). Since it was officially prohibited to celebrate Labor Day, revolutionary-minded workers gathered secretly—under the guise of May picnics in nature. Such gatherings were held outside the city, on the edges of forests or in secluded spots, to clandestinely discuss pressing issues and display solidarity. The Tsarist police attempted to suppress these illegal assemblies, often dispersing the May Day picnics, resulting in frequent arrests.

By the early 20th century, the May Day demonstrations in Russia were gaining scale. Starting from 1897, they began to take on an overtly political character, accompanied by calls not only for economic rights but also for freedom. For instance, in 1901, May Day demonstrations occurred in Petersburg, Kharkov, Tiflis, and other cities under slogans like “Down with autocracy!” and “Long live the republic!”. These demonstrations often resulted in clashes with troops (a well-known case is the Obukhova Defense of 1901 in Petersburg, where factory workers defended themselves against police and Cossacks). Thus, prior to the revolution, May 1st in Russia became a day of protests, symbolizing the struggle against autocracy and for workers' rights, held semi-clandestinely under the threat of dispersal.

After the overthrow of the monarchy, the spring of 1917 saw the holiday celebrated openly. Following the February Revolution, millions took to the streets on May 1, 1917, across the country. In Petrograd, Alexander Kerensky greeted demonstrators at the Mars Field on behalf of the Provisional Government. Lively slogans filled the air: from support for continuing the war to Bolshevik calls of “All power to the Soviets!” For the first time, May Day was celebrated legally and en masse, no longer solely as an economic observance but as a political holiday of freedom.

May Day in the Soviet Union

Following the October Revolution of 1917, May Day became an official state holiday. Initially in the young RSFSR, it was called International Day in honor of the international solidarity of workers. A little later, the name "Day of International Workers' Solidarity – May 1st" solidified, although it was commonly referred to simply as May Day. From 1918, May 1st was declared a non-working day, and from 1928, May 2nd was also made a holiday—thus establishing the tradition of two days off for the May festivities. The first day was usually dedicated to ceremonial demonstrations in cities, while the second was for a day of leisure in nature—a nationwide picnic.

During the Soviet era, May 1st grew to be a grand event with significant ideological meaning. Every year on this day, across the country, May Day demonstrations were held—organized columns of workers marched down the main streets of cities with flags, banners, and orchestras. The main demonstration took place in Red Square in Moscow: thousands bore banners, portraits of leaders, and slogans supporting peace, labor, and friendship among nations. Leaders of the party and state stood on the tribunes of the mausoleum and government stands, greeting the workers. The holiday symbolized the unity of the Soviet people and the successes of socialism. Live broadcasts were aired on radio and television: people at screens watched the march of happy workers while commentators delivered inspiring speeches.

Beyond the official part, May Day was also a beloved public holiday. For many Soviet families, the demonstration was a festive occasion: preparations began in advance, creating paper flowers, inflating colorful balloons for the parades. Young pioneers also participated, learning chants. After the procession, the festivities continued in nature—people went to parks, forests, and riverbanks, grilling shashliks and enjoying homemade pastries. May Day postcards with red flags and tulips, the scent of spring, and the sense of communal time off remain in public memory. While a political undertone lay behind the festive facade, for ordinary people, May 1st symbolized joy, the beginning of warm days, and a sense of community.

Soviet May Day continued to evolve, acquiring new features. In the 1930s, the celebrations showcased the country's achievements; for instance, on May 1, 1933, the first air parade over Red Square was held to demonstrate the power of Soviet aviation. After the war, in the 1950s, the celebration was broadcast on television (the first televised May Day demonstration occurred in 1956). Up until the end of the Soviet era, May 1st remained one of the major holidays of the calendar, alongside New Year's and Victory Day.

The last official Soviet May Day demonstration took place in 1990. In 1991, amid a wave of change, instead of the traditional parade on Red Square, there was a rally organized by independent trade unions, focusing on economic demands (even then, M. Gorbachev was still present on the podium). This marked a sign that the era of Soviet May Day was concluding.

May 1st Celebration in Modern Russia

With the collapse of the USSR came new times, and the May 1st holiday transformed alongside the country. In 1992, it officially received the new neutral name—Spring and Labor Day. The ideological context regarding workers' solidarity was removed, focusing instead on simply celebrating spring and the valor of work in general. Essentially, the holiday was depoliticized. Where May 1st once undeniably represented the day of proletarian struggle and Soviet ideology, it became a broader, ‘peaceful’ celebration for all.

In the 1990s, the scale of former demonstrations significantly diminished. Nevertheless, May Day remained an official holiday. Many citizens, grappling with challenging reforms, still valued this additional time off in May. Gradually, for most Russians, May 1st became a symbol of the start of the spring break: people viewed it as an opportunity to head to the countryside, kick off the dacha season, grill shashliks, or simply spend time with family. The festive columns in the streets didn’t completely vanish—annual rallies were held by trade unions, and actions by communist parties and other movements took place, but they no longer had a nationwide character.

Interestingly, since 2005, Russia has eliminated the second holiday on May 2nd (removing it from the list of non-working holidays), making May 1st the only official day of rest. However, often the May holidays are extended by shifting and combining them with the celebration of May 9th, resulting in several consecutive days off for people. In modern Russia, Spring and Labor Day predominantly feels like a celebration of spring. It has lost its original political fervor; today, few take to the streets on May 1st to combat capitalism; rather, most simply rejoice in the warm weather. It is no wonder people joke that “nothing is more incompatible than labor and May”—after all, we mark Labor Day by not working!

Nevertheless, elements of tradition endure. In various cities across Russia on May 1st, parades can be witnessed: official columns of trade unions carry flags and placards with relatively common slogans for peace, work, and May. The left opposition (communists, socialists, anarchists) annually utilizes this day for rallies and marches, putting forward sharper political demands and reminding people of the original meaning of Workers' International Solidarity Day. Meanwhile, authorities and city administrations organize festive concerts, folk celebrations, and sports runs. The format of celebration has become diverse: from official events to amateur flash mobs. Overall, May 1st today is a peaceful spring festival devoid of strict ideology, which everyone is free to celebrate in their own way.

Where May 1st is Celebrated: An International Perspective

The May 1st holiday is an international phenomenon. It is celebrated under various names in over a hundred countries worldwide. In many languages, it is known as Labor Day (Labor Day, Fête du Travail, etc.) or Workers' Day. Practically throughout Europe, May 1st is an official holiday: in Germany (Tag der Arbeit), France (Fête du Travail), Italy, Spain, Greece, and Scandinavian countries, trade union rallies and workers' marches take place, sometimes accompanied by folk festivities. For example, in France, there is a tradition of gifting lilies of the valley on this day as a symbol of spring and happiness. In Germany, in addition to official events, May 1st is also known for actions by leftist movements, which sometimes escalate into street protests (Berlin is notoriously infamous for clashes between radicals and police on the night of May 1st). Conversely, some places host family festivals and fairs.

In the former USSR countries, May 1st remains a holiday: in Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asian countries, it is celebrated as Labor Day or Spring and Labor Day, sometimes with national features. Interestingly, in Kazakhstan, May 1st is now called the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan—emphasizing interethnic harmony rather than labor solidarity. In China, May 1st (劳动节) is one of the main state holidays: it marks the beginning of the May holidays, with people resting for several days, and many traveling. China, as a country with long-standing communist traditions, celebrates this day on a large scale—with parades, ceremonial meetings, and entertainment for workers. Other Asian countries—Vietnam, India, Indonesia—also observe International Workers' Day, frequently organizing rallies and celebrations.

Latin America widely celebrates May 1st, as the labor movement there has historically been strong. In countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, the day is officially a holiday: demonstrations, concerts, and sometimes political actions are held. African countries also follow suit—from South Africa to Nigeria, many nations adopted the tradition of celebrating Labor Day on May 1st after gaining independence.

Interestingly, not everywhere does this holiday fall specifically on the 1st. Where is the May 1st celebration absent in its usual sense? The most notable example is the USA. Despite American events sparking the origin of May Day, the U.S. does not celebrate Labor Day on May 1st for ideological reasons. Instead, they observe their Labor Day on the first Monday of September—a date chosen in the late 19th century to distance itself from the socialist and anarchist roots of May Day. Similar to the United States, Canada also celebrates Labor Day in September. The UK long lacked an official May 1st holiday, although workers' movements conducted marches; now, the British enjoy a holiday on the first Monday of May (Early May Bank Holiday), which is close in spirit. Japan does not celebrate May 1st as Labor Day, but they observe Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23—a similar celebration stemming from an ancient agricultural festival. Thus, most countries around the world honor labor in spring, but the forms and dates can vary.

Opponents and Criticism of May 1st Holiday

Like any holiday, May 1st has its skeptics, and the celebrations are no exception. Historically, May Day has faced opposition since its inception: governments and conservative forces at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries viewed mass May Day gatherings as a threat to order. In the Russian Empire, authorities suppressed picnics, fearing revolutionary propaganda. In the United States, the government rejected the idea of making May 1st an official Labor Day due to ideological disagreements, believing that a holiday with socialist overtones was unnecessary. During the height of the Cold War, the systemic opposition influenced holiday traditions: in the Soviet bloc, May Day was lavishly celebrated, while in the U.S., it was proclaimed Law Day and Loyalty Day to divert attention from the communist May Day. That is, in the West, the workers' holiday was sometimes openly regarded as a "red," leftist celebration, and efforts were made to neutralize it.

On the other hand, criticism also stems from those who invested May 1st with its original meaning. After the 1990s, many supporters of leftist ideas in Russia and other former Soviet countries expressed dissatisfaction with the depoliticization of the holiday. The new name "Spring and Labor Day" was derisively termed "gender-neutral" by some, arguing it equalizes workers and capital owners and silences the issue of class struggle. In their view, May Day has lost its "bite": rather than a protest against social injustices, it has simply become a holiday devoid of ideology. For example, representatives of the CPRF regularly remind people that "there have been no special victories over capital worth celebrating so far," implying that there is little to rejoice about while workers still face challenges.

Conversely, some view this holiday as an outdated remnant of the Soviet era. Some young people perceive May 1st as "grandpas' holiday with red flags" and find it irrelevant. For the business community, an extra day off can often be a headache and loss of profit, leading to calls that there are too many May holidays. In ultraconservative circles, one might even hear exotic complaints: some recall that the night before May 1st in Europe has long been regarded as a witches' gathering (Walpurgis Night) and draw parallels, dubbing May Day "the day of unclean forces" due to its revolutionary nature. Such views are, of course, marginal. Overall, today's criticism centers on the fact that May 1st either lost its meaning and turned into a formality or that its original significance was, from someone's perspective, misguided. Nevertheless, despite the debates, the holiday continues to exist and adapt to the spirit of the times.

Modern Traditions of Celebrating May Day

What does May 1st look like today, in the 21st century? Primarily, it remains a nationwide day off in Russia and many other countries. The celebration traditions largely depend on the desires of the people themselves. Modern May Day is a hybrid of the old and new.

Part of society supports the old customs: trade unions and labor collectives hold rallies, social justice speeches are made, and labor veterans don medals and reminisce about past demonstrations. Many cities continue to practice picnics—mass outings into nature. These can be organized city events in the main meadow with concerts and field kitchens, or simply a family or friends' tradition to head out of town for shashliks. Sunny weather, blossoming greenery, and smoke from the fire—this is the typical image of May 1st for millions. It’s no coincidence that the holiday is also called the Spring Festival: on this day, spring's arrival, the renewal of nature, and the opportunity to rest from work are genuinely celebrated.

The youth add new colors to May Day. In some cities, there are costume parades, fun flash mobs, or bicycle parades in honor of May 1st. Some participate in environmental actions by cleaning up parks—also a form of labor contribution to society that symbolically coincides with Labor Day. Cultural institutions—museums, cultural centers—frequently hold thematic exhibits and retro concerts dedicated to the history of May Day: screening Soviet films, showcasing postcards, and organizing masterclasses on creating those very paper flowers and streamers.

In our time, the Spring and Labor Day has become more personal and diverse. Some prefer to be active, participating in processions or outdoor sports events. Others simply relax at home or at the dacha, starting the season for beds and planting (people joke that the "labor festival" takes on a literal meaning for many Russians at the dacha when they plant potatoes during the May days). Some take advantage of the long weekend to travel or visit relatives. In other words, everyone chooses their own way: from public engagement to quiet family retreats.

Although the ideology of the holiday has changed, May 1st continues to convey a positive message—it remains about unity and solidarity, albeit without class rhetoric. People come together to celebrate the arrival of warm days, express respect for constructive labor, and simply feel part of a larger community. More than 130 years after the first May gatherings, the May 1st holiday remains relevant as each new generation imbues it with new meaning. It is a living holiday: with a rich history, periodically changing "face," yet always offering people a sense of spring, peace, work, and May—those very values that are worth celebrating at any time.