Labour Day

German workers joined international May Day mobilisation in 1890, demanding shorter hours despite employer threats. The National Assembly made May 1 a holiday for 1919 only. The Nazi regime appropriated it as a ‘Day of National Labour’ in 1933 and destroyed independent unions the next day, a history that makes democratic union ownership of the date especially significant.

After 1945 both German states retained May 1 but framed it differently. West German unions restored independent rallies about wages, working time, democracy and social policy; East Germany staged state-directed parades. Since reunification, every Land protects May 1 while the German Trade Union Confederation coordinates hundreds of demonstrations under a changing annual campaign theme.

The date overlaps older spring customs. Villages raise decorated Maibäume and communities dance on April 30, while parks and beer gardens fill in good weather. Political marches and leisure coexist. Ordinary shops and public offices close nationwide, but emergency services, transport, hospitality and certain leisure businesses continue within statutory exceptions rather than making the day unofficial.