What is May Day, Anyway?

May Day, which falls on May 1 every year, is traditionally the celebration of the return of spring.

Although spring technically began March 20, it has only been in the past few weeks that temperatures have really risen.

This May, the Farmers' Almanac is predicting temperatures slightly cooler than average. The Weather Channel predicts temperatures slightly lower than average for the first few days of the month, and notes the average high temperature throughout the month ranges from 73 to 78 degrees. 

History of May Day

Originally, ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated with dancing, wildflowers and more. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, “Such rites originally may have been intended to ensure fertility for crops and, by extension, for livestock and humans, but in most cases this significance was gradually lost, so that the practices survived largely as popular festivities.”

Later, May Day became associated with the labor movement, and International Workers’ Day is celebrated as a holiday in at least 80 countries. In part, it commemorates the 1886 Haymarket incident in Chicago, when someone threw a bomb at police who were trying to break up a protest and a riot ensued.

Last year in Georgetown, Georgetown University students and other members of Occupy Georgetown hosted workshops and meetings related to the labor movement. No word yet on whether the group has plans for this May 1.

How are you celebrating May Day? Tell us in the comments!

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