The 1886 uprising of Chicago workers demanding an eight-hour work day and better working conditions is linked to the establishment of May Day as a day of struggle and solidarity among workers worldwide.
In April 1961, Fidel Castro, following his victory in the Bay of Pigs, officially declared Cuba a “socialist state”. Since then, May 1 has been an official holiday in Cuba featuring a large parade that brings together hundreds of thousands of workers, students and ordinary Cubans as well as officials and foreign dignitaries and comrades from across the world.
In Havana, the colourful May Day festivities typically begin early in the morning when families and co-workers start pouring onto the streets surrounding Revolution Square for an hours-long celebration with music, dancing and drinks.
Waving flags and carrying placards honouring the heroes of the Revolution, the sea of demonstrators later reaches the vast square chanting slogans in support of the Revolution and against the imperialist policies of the United States.
It is there – at the foot of statues of iconic figures such as Jose Marti and Che Guevarra, and with the sounds of revolutionary anthems filling the air under the gaze of officials – where the voice of one million people unites behind the May Day rallying cry to continue the fight for workers’ rights.