*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* *~*Official MAY DAY Thread*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thismemoratingand Happy May Day! May Day means very different things to people and I would like to hear what it means to you, if anything.

I’ve always celebrated May Day; it is my birthday. When I was born (which, for some reason which to this day remains a mystery to me) I was awarded (again, for some reason which to this day remains a mystery to me) a $50.00 U.S. Government bond from First Trust Company “commemorating the 30th anniversary of the current U.S. bond program”(quotes from the photo in the newspaper photo). Some people are born lucky. That is kind of what May Day means to me – being born lucky.

I’ve been lucky. I have a good relationship with my family, some good friends (although I really need to socialize and network more – especially as a political creature), and a loving girlfriend. I do rewarding work and enjoy my recreational time. I have rarely experienced hardship and understand (or try to) the hardships of others. I’ve been born lucky. Born lucky on May Day.

I know some celebrate this day as Beltaine Day. “This is the time to fertilize your dreams with action.” http://magicwicca.com/wicca/beltaine.htm

May First is also the Feast of Saint Joseph, the worker. To many this is a day about labor rights. Here is a link to hundreds of past May Day events labor / advocacy events. http://www.geocities.com/progressivepix/ and info on the movement http://www.holtlaborlibrary.org/mayday.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day to read more<-




Anyone else out there have a special connection with May Day? Is anyone celebrating or participating in May Day events today?
Check in

:scared:

May DAY!

exchange baskets?

When I was little I lived in a small town in NE. On May Day a classmate friend brought me a little basket with goodies in it and I remember having one for him as well. We were 7 years old. They were sort of like small Easter baskets with candy and flowers.

That's the only time it ever happened. We moved to IL the next year and it wasn't a custom there.

in west central Illinois and it was a tradition there in the late 50's, early '60's. We'd make small baskets, with handles, out of construction paper, old wallpaper, whatever, then we'd put flowers in it (usually ones we took from the neighbor's garden). We'd go to whatever house we wanted to deliver it to, hang the basket on the door knob, knock loudly, yell "May basket for so and so", then run off. It was always quite fun.

The person you delivered them to got to chase you, try to catch and kiss you. So everyone snuck around trying to drop off baskets when no one else was home, but be home to chase those you wanted to.

It was fun. UPjr did this in grade school to a person had a crush on. It was very amusing watching them chase each other around and around our car (lived a ways away), jr yelling "open the door, open the door!"

accidentally relinquished my common sense to monogamy, an arrangement that only took ten years or so to correct. No one was killed or injured enough to get out the Bactine.

:toast:

I hope it is a good day for you!

:party::smoke::toast::smoke::party:

:pals:

:pals:

:D

:smoke:

Here's to many more! :toast:

Oh... not that kind. :hide:

I've got another thread here, which deals with the history of the day in American political terms:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3230500&mesg_id=3230500

never say the people do not have the power.

http://www.holtlaborlibrary.org/mayday.html

just a snip

May 1, 1886, became historic. On that day thousands of workers in the larger industrial cities poured into the streets, demanding eight hours. About 340,000 took part in demonstrations in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Baltimore, Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and other places. Of these nearly 200,000 actually went out on strike. About 42,000 won the eight-hour day. Another 150,000 got a shorter day than they had had before.

My beloved first born child, Patrick. 33 hours of natural childbirth. My midwife earned her money that day(s)!!!

Happy Birthday to you both! :hi:

I love May Day for obvious reasons, but even more now thanks to your post.

:pals:

somebody kill me

That's why they call it politics!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=H3HXDUrIoFc&feature=related

I celebrated it until 4th grade growing up, then again when I moved to Europe
a while back. We did the May pole thing and the whole nine yards.

Time to stop just talking about it....

:toast:

Inspired by the American movement for a shorter workday, socialists and unionists around the world began celebrating May 1, or “May Day,” as an international workers' holiday. In the twentieth century, the Soviet Union and other Communist countries officially adopted it. The Haymarket tragedy is remembered throughout the world in speeches, murals, and monuments. American observance was strongest in the decade before World War I. During the Cold War, many Americans saw May Day as a Communist holiday, and President Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 as “Loyalty Day” in 1955. Interest in Haymarket revived somewhat in the 1980s.

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/571.html

Remember Haymarket! Those bastards haven't changed at all.