Labour Day, also known in Turkey as "Emek ve Dayanışma Günü" (Labour and Solidarity Day), honors workers' rights, labor movements, and social solidarity, similar to International Workers' Day celebrations worldwide.

When is Labour Day?

Labour Day in Turkey 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 first Labour Day celebration on Turkish soil was held in 1912 in Istanbul, during the late Ottoman Empire. It was organized by socialist and trade union groups, influenced by the international labor movement and workers' demands for fair wages and reduced working hours.

After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, Labour Day was not officially recognized and large gatherings were often discouraged. However, workers and unions continued to hold symbolic events, especially in major cities.

On May 1, 1977, an estimated 500,000 people gathered in Taksim Square, Istanbul to celebrate Labour Day. During the rally, unknown gunmen opened fire on the crowd. 34 people were killed, and more than 100 were injured, most from the resulting stampede. The tragedy is known as the Taksim Square Massacre (Taksim Katliamı) and remains one of the darkest moments in Turkey's labor history.

Following the 1980 military coup, Labour Day celebrations were officially banned, and union activity was heavily restricted. May 1 was rebranded as "Spring and Flowers Day", attempting to depoliticize the occasion.

In 2009, the Turkish government officially recognized May 1 as "Labour and Solidarity Day", reinstating it as a public holiday.

From 2010 onward, some Labour Day celebrations were permitted in public spaces, though Taksim Square remained restricted for many years due to security concerns.