Happy May Day! How to celebrate spring, labor rights and Hawaiian culture

USA Today

01-05-2025

Happy May Day! How to celebrate spring, labor rights and Hawaiian culture
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May Day, or Beltane, is a Gaelic and Celtic festival dating back to the Middle Ages. The festival honors the start of summer, as spring is halfway over.
International Workers' Day dates back to the 1880s, when American laborers fought for the eight-hour workday.
Celebrated in Hawaii, Lei Day honors leis, a type of garland or wreath, often worn as a necklace, that are made up of flowers, leaves, shells or feathers.
Happy May Day!
The first day of May is celebrated across the globe in many different ways. There's May Day, or Beltane, a Gaelic and Celtic festival that celebrates the transition from spring to summer; International Workers' Day, which commemorates the struggles and gains of laborers; and Lei Day, a day-long statewide celebration in Hawaii.
Across the U.S., unions, worker groups and laborers are banding together to participating in the National Day of Action on May 1, a culmination of strikes and protests "on wages, on benefits, on dignity itself." More than 1,100 protests against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are scheduled for Thursday, following several weekends of "Hands Off" demonstrations that looked to voice the harms of the administration's conservative tactics.
Are you celebrating one of the various holidays or interested in learning more about one? Here's what to know about the significance of May 1.
What is May Day, or Beltane?
May Day, also known as Beltane, is a Gaelic and Celtic festival that honors the beginning of summer, as the spring season is halfway over. The Pagan festival celebrates fertility and growth, and it is tradition to decorate with flowers.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable May Day rituals centers literally around the maypole, a tall, decorated poll in which participants hold on to attached ribbons and dance around in a circle. While one set of dancers move clockwise, another dances counterclockwise, resulting in a moving pattern of vibrant colors.
The maypole became known in pop culture a few years ago with the A24 release of the movie "Midsommar," in which Florence Pugh's character Dani attends a cultish summer festival in Sweden.
Another element of Beltane, which has grown more popular in recent years, is the lighting of Beltane fires. These ceremonial fires represent the power of the sun and provide an opportunity for cleansing and renewal, according to the Beltane Fire Society. While Beltane fires went "dormant" for many decades, groups like the Beltane Fire Society are working to continue the centuries' old tradition for new generations.
Though the Pagan Beltane is often dated back to the Middle Ages, similar types of festivals go back even further.
Held in Ancient Rome, The Festival of Flora − Floralia − was held between April 28 and May 3, celebrating Flora, the goddess of flowers, fertility and spring, according to the United Kingdom National Trust.
What is International Workers' Day?
While Beltane celebrate the natural wonders of the world, International Workers' Day focuses on the industrial achievements of laborers.
On May 1, 1886, more than 340,000 American workers walked out of their jobs in support of the eight-hour work day, which had been proposed by the now American Federation of Labor two years prior, according to the Industrial Workers of the World.
Two days later, activists organized a union action at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago. During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.
On May 4, 1886, a rally was held at Chicago's Haymarket Square. Though this protest was meant to be non-violent, violence quickly unfolded. Several civilians were killed at the hands of police and dozens more were injured, the according to the American Postal Workers Union.
In 1889, labor advocates deemed May 1 International Workers' Day, also referred to as May Day.
What is Lei Day?
Also celebrated on the first day of May, Lei Day honors Hawaiian leis, a type of garland or wreath often worn as a necklace that is made up flowers, leaves, shells or feathers. Deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, leis represent love, respect and celebration.
More: What does a lei mean in Hawaii, can anyone wear one?
Lei Day got its start in 1927. At the time, American poet and journalist Don Blanding was reporting for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (today, Honolulu Star-Advertiser). As written in his memoir, "Hula Moons," Blanding said he had the idea of starting a Hawaiian holiday dedicated to leis. His editors liked the idea and the concept of Lei Day was presented to the public. Readers liked it too, in addition to the late Princess Helen Kawananākoa, the official Lei Day website states.
Hawaii's first Lei Day was held in 1929 and for nearly 100 years, the day of celebration has been held throughout the state of Hawaii.
How can you celebrate May Day in the US?
Depending on what variation of May Day you are honoring, they are different ways to celebrate.
Beltane
Celebrating Beltane at home? Find different ways to honor the natural world around you, whether that be planting flowers or plants, making flower crowns with your family and friends, or making your own version of a maypole.
Each year, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina hosts a May Day parade and festival for those interested in folk culture. Though this year's festival has already passed, take a look to see if any organizations near you are planning May Day activities.
International Workers' Day
Though International Workers' Day is not a federal holiday in the U.S., there still may be protests and/or other scheduled activities happening near you. Check with local labor groups to learn more.
To learn more about National Day of Action and see if a demonstration is happening near you, visit maydaystrong.org.
Lei Day
If you're not in Hawaii this Lei Day but still want to celebrate, you sure can. Lei Day is all about celebrating the history, creation and importance of leis. Local cultural centers and botanical gardens may be hosting Lei Day activities for all ages.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [e-mail].