May Day
Spring workers' holiday
May Day is the first day of May, traditionally celebrated as a spring festival with flowers, dancing around maypoles, and the crowning of a May Queen.
In many countries it is also International Workers' Day, a public holiday honoring labor movements and workers' rights, marked by parades and political demonstrations.
The two celebrations—one pastoral, one political—now coexist on the same date.
We watched the May Day parade downtown. (The distress call is mayday, one word.)
Tall ribbon-wrapped post
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
- Morris dancingEnglish folk tradition with bells
- flower crownHead ornament of blossoms
garland · wreath · pagan · folklore · tradition · fête · merrymaking · pageant
Radio emergency signal
- SOSMorse distress code
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
signal · rescue · coastguard · helicopter · lifeboat · flares · beacon · evacuation
Flower on fruit tree
- flowersPlant reproductive structures
- maypoleTall ribbon-wrapped post
- greeneryCollective plant life
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
fertility · awakening · warmth · growth · blooming · garland · wreath · daffodil
People doing jobs
- unionJoining into one
- solidarityUnity among allies
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- marchRhythmic group walk
rally · picket · demonstration · red flag · socialist · communist · collective · bargaining
maypole
Tall ribbon-wrapped post
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
- Morris dancingEnglish folk tradition with bells
flower crown · garland · wreath · pagan · folklore · tradition · fête · merrymaking · pageant · carnival
mayday
Radio emergency signal
- SOSMorse distress code
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
radio · signal · rescue · coastguard · helicopter · lifeboat · flares · beacon · evacuation · stranded
blossom
Flower on fruit tree
rebirth · fertility · awakening · warmth · growth · blooming · garland · wreath · daffodil · tulip
workers
People doing jobs
- unionJoining into one
- solidarityUnity among allies
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
march · rally · picket · demonstration · red flag · socialist · communist · collective · bargaining · Haymarket
- European HolidaysChristmas, Easter Monday, Good Friday, New Year, Epiphany
- Maymaypole, maypole dance, Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby, Beltane
- observancesholidays, holy days, commemorations, anniversaries, national holidays
- Renaissance fairejousting, maypole dance, feast, masquerade ball, harvest festival
- Soviet lifecommunal apartments, communal living, collective farms, Pravda, Pioneers
- British Folklorefairy, fairies, pixie, pixies, brownie
May Dayall clear
Signal danger has passed
stand down · safe and sound · roger · mission accomplished · secure
May DaySamhain
Celtic harvest-end observance
Halloween · All Souls' Day · Day of the Dead · autumn equinox · harvest festival
May Dayshareholder meeting
Gathering of company owners
management · capital · anti-union · right-to-work · Labor Day