Labor Day is celebrated annually on the 1st of May, being it a public holiday in Portugal and in several European countries. It is not a world holiday, although it is observed in several countries around the world. It started in May 1st, 1886, in the USA, when more than 500,000 workers took to the streets of Chicago, in a peaceful demonstration, demanding the reduction of the working day to eight hours. In response, the police tried to disperse the demonstration, injuring and killing dozens of workers. On May 5th, 1886, workers returned to the streets and were again injured, with protesters being arrested. Public opinion repudiated the action of the police and the government, as well as of employers. In 1889, the International Workers' Congress, meeting in Paris, declared May 1st as International Workers' Day and in 1890, American workers saw the daily working day reduced to eight hours. In the United States, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
In Portugal, it was not until May 1974, after the Carnation Revolution, that the 1st of May was freely celebrated again, which became a public holiday. During the New State dictatorship, the celebration was repressed by the police. Labor Day is celebrated across the country. The demonstrations, marches, celebrations and rallies promoted on that date aim to present the Government and employers with the needs and rights of workers. As a holiday, it is also an opportunity for the worker to rest. In Madeira, as in other regions of the country, it is a custom for the population to have picnics, and festivities alluding to the date are also organized.