How are you celebrating May Day?

Today is May Day, or International Workers' Day. On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States went on strike in for the right to an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek--the first May Day celebration in history.

Over the next few days, the celebration would become fraught with violence and instances of police and company brutality toward rallying and striking workers and their families. You can read more about the history of May Day on the Industrial Workers of the World website.

May Day is a national holiday in more than 80 countries, and is being celebrated here in the U.S. with a host of actions affiliated with the Occupy movement. Here in Kentucky, for example, Occupy Lexington is celebrating with teach-ins, a march, and a community potluck. (If you're near Lexington, find more information here.)

Happy May Day, everyone! Take some time to honor the workers who fought for these basic rights, and to celebrate the workers who continue to fight for rights today!