May 1st may not be the typical holiday, filled with pomp and fun but it is a day that shook the world. Back in the 19th century, May 1st was the beginning of what history calls as the Workers' Movement.

Known popularly as the International Workers' Day, May 1st marks the commemoration of Chicago's Haymarket Affair that took place in 1886, as peacefully striking workers were blown to shards by the bomb that exploded.

Taking the event as a base for furthering working class consciousness, the then Socialist parties of the world formally recognized this epic event as May Day at their Second International's Congress in 1891.

Modern day work cultures owe a lot to the struggle of these yesteryear labor heroes. Demands such as the 8-hour work day, equal pay for both sexes, trade unions for workers rights so on and so forth are fruits of the long struggle.

Many countries today, almost 80, celebrate this spirit of unity among the workers of the world by hosting May Day parades in typical military styles. This includes countries like China, Cuba, North Korea, former Soviet Union, who were the champions of the Communist movement.

Others like USA, celebrate Labor Day as a official holiday in September. Way back in 1887, the then U.S President Grover Cleveland was against commemorating the Haymarket Affair. Instead, the September date was chosen, marking the event of New York City's first organized parade, by the Central Labor Union and Knight of Labor.

When the day's history is so full of twists and turns, here is something more to add to your experience. Read these famous Labor Day quotes for a renewed bout of Inspiration!

1."Without labor nothing prospers" -Sophocles

2."Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things.  It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased." -Adam Smith

3."The only liberty an inferior man really cherishes is the liberty to quit work, stretch out in the sun, and scratch himself"-H.L. Mencken

4."All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence" -Martin Luther King Jr

5."Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men who disgrace labor." -Ulysses S. Grant

6."Workingmen are at the foundation of society. Show me that product of human endeavor in the making of which the workingman has had no share, and I will show you something that society can well dispense with." -Samuel Gompers

7."Manual labor to my father was not only good and decent for it's own sake but, as he was given to saying, it straightened out one's thoughts." -Mary Ellen Chase

8."Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucius

9."There is no labor a person does that is undignified; if they do it right." -Bill Cosby

10."If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great." -Tom Hanks

11."The Labor Movement; the folks who brought you the weekend." -From a bumper sticker, 1995

12."A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am  still receiving." -Albert Einstein

13."I would rather have a big burden and a strong back, than a weak back and a caddy to carry life's luggage." -Elbert Hubbard

14."Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed - there's so little competition." -Author Unknown

15."Human history is work history. The heroes of the people are work heroes." -Meridel Le Sueur
As businesses, we have two important lessons to take away from these invigorating quotes:

One, that the success of every business depends on maintaining the edifice of respect among co-workers. Be it the boss at the top of the heirarchy or the helper boy in office, each one has a particular role-set that they fulfill and respect is what each one deserves.

Secondly, the struggle of the labor unions through strikes and other forms of protest might be a disrupting sign for business owners. The simple deal is that everything is a product of someone's labor and each one wants to enjoy the fruits of it. Tolerance, is a virtue that will take both the owners and workers a long way in establishing a great work culture.

Wishing all our readers a very happy International Workers' Day!

Do let us know your favorite Labor Day quote or any memorable experience that you would like to share with us.