Labour Day in Spain is a public holiday that commemorates the struggles and achievements of workers, with deep historical ties to both international and Spanish labor movements.

When is Labour Day?

Labour Day in Spain is celebrated every year on May 1.

The following is the list of Labour Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Labour Day?

The holiday traces its roots to the international workers' movement of the late 19th century. Like in many countries, it was inspired by the struggles of workers in Chicago and the Haymarket Affair of May 1886, which demanded an eight-hour workday.

In Spain, Labour Day was first celebrated in 1890, following the call by the Second International for an international day of workers' demonstrations.

The holiday was banned under General Francisco Franco, who viewed workers' movements as a threat. Instead, May 1 was replaced with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a Catholic celebration introduced in 1955, emphasizing religious over labor themes. Despite repression, underground labor movements and clandestine demonstrations continued on this date.

After Spain's transition to democracy in the mid-1970s, May 1 was reinstated as Labour Day. It became a public holiday nationwide, recognized officially as a day to honor workers' rights and the labor movement.