In a reflection paper of 1-2 pages please reflect on what you learned from Lesson 5: Labor's Struggle.

The major focus of this lesson is labor’s struggle. From the video and the textbook, I learn that both workers and farmers were struggling for maintaining their basic needs for life. I am very shocked to know that the angry farmers in Kansas burned their crops as fuel because the price of crops was so low that they were not able to pay the debt by selling crops. I also feel pity about the child labor during this period. The knowledge in this lesson that is most related to my life experiences is May 1, the international workers day.

Since I was a child in China, May 1 is a big holiday for me and my family. I was educated that May 1 is the international workers day and all the workers in the whole world celebrate this holiday.  When I was a student in China, we sang songs, danced and had big parade on May 1. To Chinese people, May 1 is a really big holiday, now and then.

            After learning this lesson, I understand that May 1 holiday originated from USA. In May 1, 1886, there was a nationwide general strike in support of eight hour workday. This strike was led by anarchist Albert Parsons. It is the largest demonstration to date because about 45,000 workers paraded peacefully on May 1 in Chicago. On May 4 of the same year, Haymarket bombing claimed lives of seven policemen and unknown number of other people. Furthermore, eight leaders for this movement were found all guilty. Among them, four were executed, one was committed suicide and three received prison sentences .In honor of the martyrs of the Haymarket, May 1 was set as an international worker day.

After I came to USA in 1990, I quickly realized that I was “cheated” by the textbook I read in China. I was confusing, too. Why do not American people celebrate May 1? Why do Chinese people celebrate May 1 cheerfully just like American people celebrate their Christmas? The interesting thing about May 1 in China is even more. There used to be a Golden Week to celebrate May 1 when Chinese people travelled and had family reunion during this seven day of holiday.

Look back to the past, when May 1 demonstration happened in 1886 in USA, who could predict its great influence on people in the other countries, including China? In China, Golden Week stimulated consumer expenses, provided more temporary jobs for low class of people, and also created many problems, including traffic jam. Although Golden Week was ended in 2008, Chinese people still enjoy three day holiday of May 1, which has been mixed with Chinese culture to some extent. For example, many Chinese young couple chooses their wedding day on May 1.

After learning this lesson, I am still confusing: Why do not American people cerebrate May 1 in a way that Chinese people enjoy? After all, May 1 holiday was born in USA.