May 1

May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). There are 244 days remaining.

Events:

• 1884 - the start of the general strike which eventually won the eight-hour workday in the United States. May 1st, called May Day or Labour Day, is now a holiday recognized in almost every industrialized country; a few exceptions are Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, and (oddly enough), the United States. It is also a major holiday in the Communist countries.
• 1776 - Adam Weishaupt founds the Illuminati in Ingolstadt?, Germany

Births

• 1769: Likeliest birthdate for The Duke of Wellington (British general and Prime Minister)

Holidays and observances:

• Beltane was celebrated by the Celts, and is now celebrated by Neopagans and Wiccans.
• Day of the International Solidarity of Workers (particularly in Communist countries).
• May Day, Labour day - see event section above.

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See Also: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

April 30 - May 2 - April 1 - June 1 - more historical anniversaries