The Meaning, Behind May Day.<br />May 1, known as May Day, is an official<br />holiday in 66 countries across the world.<br />May Day originated as an ancient pagan<br />celebration of spring, known as “Beltane.".<br />It took on a different meaning in the<br />19th century when it became connected<br />to the labor rights movement.<br />On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers<br />in the U.S. went on strike in response to<br />growing inhumane working conditions.<br />This culminated in the Haymarket Riot of Chicago, where police and protestors clashed,<br />resulting in a national wave of controversy.<br />This event widely impacted labor<br />movements around the world and is<br />now often a day of protest for labor unions.<br />However, some countries still recognize<br />the original traditions of May Day and<br />celebrate with festivities and various customs.<br />A main custom is the maypole dance, which originated as a fertility ritual and involves dancing around a pole with colorful streamers and ribbons
