"Eight hours shall constitute a legal day's labor from and after May 1st, 1886" -- American Federation of Labor Resolution, 1886

International Worker's Day is celebrated on the first of May. Although the holiday began in the United States in 1886, and is observed worldwide there is little official celebration here in the U.S. The day commemorates the execution of five anarchist trade union organizers by the state of Illinois. The United States Government named Labor Day in September to distance the holiday from its militant roots.

In the months before the eight hour work day strike, May 1st 1886, workers all across the country were drawn into the fight for trade unions. One hundred and eighteen years later, the eight-hour day is crumbling, many U.S. workers are forced to work two or three jobs as traditional full-time jobs get outsourced, and corporations seek cheap labor overseas.

Mayday celebrations will take place all around the world this weekend.
In Buffalo, the Buffalo Anarchist Collective has planned
events for the entire weekend. One Humanity, One Struggle Mayday event