May 1st is observed as International Labor Day by most of the countries of the world.
On May 1, 1886, there were massive strikes all over America. Months before, The Knights of Labor, the largest union of that day, had said that if their members didn't get the 8-hour day 6-day week by that date they would call for a nation-wide strike. 20,000 workers actually had it so it was not an impossible dream.
On that day in Chicago 190,000 people demonstrated for the 8-hour day. There were 340,000 people demonstrating nation-wide.
It's because 4 union members were hung in Chicago in 1886 for fighting for the 8-hour day that you take for granted today.*
In 1889 labor leaders from many countries met in Paris. They voted to continue the action for shorter hours for all workers of the world and that May 1st would be designated as International Workers Day. On that day in 1890 workers all over Europe showed their solidarity with the workers of America by taking part in parades, meetings and demonstrations in support of their struggle for the 8-hour workday. That was the first May Day celebration.
Excerpted from Ken Secor - Activist San Diego and the International Association of Machinists (Retired)
* They were present at the Haymarket Square rally in support of the 8-hour day where a bomb killed one policeman and wounded several others. The police fired widely and many in the crowd were wounded and a few died of their injuries afterward.
Here in the USA, Labor Day in September was created specifically as the un-May Day workers day.
================================
The Centro Cultural de la Raza calls for the submission of artworks and other things for a celebration of International Workers Day exhibition the month of May and opening on the First.
The exhibition committee is looking for photography,* paintings, drawings, and prints as well as objects. Banners, posters and leaflets are welcome. The criteria for acceptance is that the work in the show will be in the spirit of May Day and reflect the working class character, broadly defined, of this international celebration.
Suggestions are that submissions represent in some way work, class struggle, organization, working class history, etc. Work certainly includes unpaid labor such as housework and child rearing.
At the opening, there will be live music and, perhaps short statements and poetry. Recorded labor music and video will be run whenever the show is open.
* Photo snapshots can be submitted with the understanding that those accepted would be printed at around 8x10" size and mounted or framed in some way for display.
On May 1, 1886, there were massive strikes all over America. Months before, The Knights of Labor, the largest union of that day, had said that if their members didn't get the 8-hour day 6-day week by that date they would call for a nation-wide strike. 20,000 workers actually had it so it was not an impossible dream.
On that day in Chicago 190,000 people demonstrated for the 8-hour day. There were 340,000 people demonstrating nation-wide.
It's because 4 union members were hung in Chicago in 1886 for fighting for the 8-hour day that you take for granted today.*
In 1889 labor leaders from many countries met in Paris. They voted to continue the action for shorter hours for all workers of the world and that May 1st would be designated as International Workers Day. On that day in 1890 workers all over Europe showed their solidarity with the workers of America by taking part in parades, meetings and demonstrations in support of their struggle for the 8-hour workday. That was the first May Day celebration.
Excerpted from Ken Secor - Activist San Diego and the International Association of Machinists (Retired)
* They were present at the Haymarket Square rally in support of the 8-hour day where a bomb killed one policeman and wounded several others. The police fired widely and many in the crowd were wounded and a few died of their injuries afterward.
Here in the USA, Labor Day in September was created specifically as the un-May Day workers day.
================================
The Centro Cultural de la Raza calls for the submission of artworks and other things for a celebration of International Workers Day exhibition the month of May and opening on the First.
The exhibition committee is looking for photography,* paintings, drawings, and prints as well as objects. Banners, posters and leaflets are welcome. The criteria for acceptance is that the work in the show will be in the spirit of May Day and reflect the working class character, broadly defined, of this international celebration.
Suggestions are that submissions represent in some way work, class struggle, organization, working class history, etc. Work certainly includes unpaid labor such as housework and child rearing.
At the opening, there will be live music and, perhaps short statements and poetry. Recorded labor music and video will be run whenever the show is open.
* Photo snapshots can be submitted with the understanding that those accepted would be printed at around 8x10" size and mounted or framed in some way for display.
HOW TO SUBMIT: attachments by the internet
Send no more than three selected things as compressed digital image attachments to artsub@centroraza.org no later than April 23rd. You will be notified by the 26th if your submission is accepted and when it should be brought to the Centro.
Though all care will be done to protect submissions, the Centro cannot accept responsibility for your work. When the exhibition is over, you must pick up your submission at a designated day/time.
The information is now available on the site - www.centroraza.org - under exhibition-more
http://www.centroraza.org/centro_cultural_raza/exhibition_centro_cultural_raza.html
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