In 1884, American labor organizations demanded a law to establish the eight-hour workday standard. They set May 1, 1886 as the day the law should go into effect and called for organized protests and worker walkouts to demonstrate support for the eight-hour day. Though protests actions in Chicago surrounding the May 1st demand ended in violence, and the demand for a May 1st, 1886 deadline was not met, the sacrifice and determination of workers on that day ultimately led to the success of the movement for the eight-hour workday.
The success won by American workers has proven to be a pivotal achievement in the progress of international recognition for the rights of working men and women.
For this reason, May 1st is annually honored in over 85 nations around the world. These nations honor American workers' sacrifices for labor rights; it is only fitting that the United States join in this memorialization of the heroic actions of American workers throughout our history to win reforms that have contributed to the improvement of working conditions here and around the world.
The new Workers' Memorial Day would not replace or duplicate the current Labor Day celebration of American workers; rather it would specifically serve to honor American workers' sacrifices and the United States' central role in the world wide progress of workplace justice and workers' rights.
U.S. law provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the President of the United States at the discretion of the President. We call upon President Barack Obama to declare May 1 annual Workers Memorial Day.
