More than just a public holiday, Labour Day is both a symbol of unity for workers’ rights activists and an opportunity to give each other lily of the valley as a good luck charm!
1 May holds a unique place in the calendar: it is at once a day of celebration, of demands and of solidarity. Established as Labour Day in France in 1947, this date has its roots in the workers’ struggles of the 19th century.
The founding event of Labour Day was the general strike of 1 May 1886 in Chicago, where thousands of workers demanded the eight-hour working day. The repression that followed left a lasting impression and made this day an international symbol of the defence of workers’ rights. In France, 1 May has become a paid public holiday, but also a time when trade unions and citizens come together to commemorate social achievements and the struggles still to be fought.
Alongside this social and political dimension, 1 May is also associated with a gentler tradition: giving a sprig of lily of the valley. This custom dates back to the Renaissance. In 1561, King Charles IX is said to have received a sprig of lily of the valley as a good luck charm and decided to give one to the ladies of the court every year. The tradition then spread amongst the general population, eventually becoming a popular and joyful custom. Lily of the valley, the quintessential spring , symbolises renewal, good luck and happiness. Its natural flowering around 1 May has reinforced its association with this festival.
Over time, lily of the valley has found its place in Labour Day celebrations, as a poetic counterpoint to social demands. It serves as a reminder that this day, whilst honouring the memory of past struggles, also celebrates the hope for a better future. Giving lily of the valley is, above all, a wish for happiness!
What if, instead of giving flowers, you gave an vintage postcard? You’ll find May Day cards on sale on Delcampe!
