International May Day being observed today

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International May Day being observed today

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May Day is observed the world over in the memory of the Haymarket martyrs in Chicago.

01 May,2011 07:11 am

The labour movement initially started in 1860 but after going through several phases in 1886 almost 80,000 labourers of the McCormick Harvester Company protested and put forth their demands. The labourers demanded an increase in the salaries. On May 1, 1886, the second day of the strike all the factories were shut down in Chicago. A large protest gathering was observed on May 3 but the police opened fire killing five labours in an attempt to disperse the mob.On May 4, the labours staged a protest against the killing of the labours. The leaders of the labour party also addressed the labourers. Armed police officers arrived at the scene and ordered the labourers to disperse when a bomb explosion occurred killing few police officials. Captain of the police officials then ordered his men to open fire which killed several labourers.One labourer took off his shirt and drenched it in his blood and made the red flag for the labourers.