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7 things you need to know about 1st of April and 1st of May celebrations in France and around the world
5- The origins of Labour Day on May 1st
Let’s have a little bit of history to explain the origins.
Workers in Chicago in 1886 went on a strike (from 1st May to 4th May) demanding to work only 8 hours a day.
In Paris, in 1889, the Socialist International members decided to create the Day of the Workers (Fete des Travailleurs) and wore a red dog-rose on their jackets.
In 1919, the French Senate voted the 8-hour working day and the following 1st May was exceptionally given as a day off.
In 1941, the 1st May becomes officially “La Fete du Travail” (Labour Day).
In 1947, it is a paid public holiday for all workers.
6- Stikes and demonstrations
In the light of its origins, there are wide trade unions demonstrations on that day across France.
Often in France people will strike in May since it is a Month with a lot of public holidays so they like to block to country and annoy everyone to spoil their long week-end... How lovely!
One piece of advice wait until June to go on Holiday in France!
7- What French do on 1st of May
1- First of April- Why do people make jokes? A bit of History...
We have all been pranked by family and friends, as children or adults, on the 1st April.
Why?
History books say that Charles IX decided in 1564 to change the date of New Year’s day from 1st April to 1st January.
It took some people a while to adjust. People who had smoothly adjusted decided to gently mock the others. Hence, the pranks and jokes you will be submitted to on that day!
The 1st of April is a joke day. And the 1st of May is a day off. This article will tell you more about these 2 important dates and how we celebrate them in France and around the world.
For those who are not big fans of demonstations, off we go on the 1st of May, enjoying life in the first long sunny days, watching Mother Nature waking up from winter, birds chirping away and nesting.
On that day, we also offer “un brin de muguet”, a sprig of lily of the valley, a little white flower in the shape of a bell.
This tradition dates back to Charles IX who was offered one in 1560 and asked for one to be offered to all women of the court every year (“Let it so be done every year”) in 1561. The same King who changed the calendar (see above).
We offer this flower to the people we love, to show them our love and wish them happiness. And if you are lucky enough to have a sprig with 13 flowers, then you are really in Destiny’s good favours!
This has become a huge business in France nowadays, with florists gearing up for the 1st of May, lots of ads and offers in supermarkets.
If you do wish to work on the 1st of May, despite being a public holiday, you can sell some “brins de muguet” with no registration needed nor taxes to pay afterwards. As a matter of fact, the trade unions are said to make a rather large benefit on this day by selling some lilies apparently up to 600.000 euros!!!!
Despite it sweet scent, “muguet” is a very poisonous plant. Be careful not to chew on the sprig, the flowers or fruit and do not drink the water in the vase. Better safe than sorry.
2- April Fool today in France and in the World
In the world, all media search for the best fake piece of news, and this has been going on since papers started printing and TVs started broadcasting.
In France, we also add a fish to it. It is a custom to cut little paper fish and stick them onto the back of people, surreptitiously so they walk around all day without knowing it. Kids particularly enjoy this in the school yards and at home.
You would walk to your “target”, gently tap them on the back saying a casual “how’s it going” and leave them with a nice fish stuck on their shirt/dress.
Hilarious!
It is also a day for telling jokes and when people do believe you, you just shout laughing “poisson d’avril !”.
4- What is May 1st
Another worldwide thing (apart from Australia somehow…) is to celebrate Labour Day on the 1st of May.
And what better idea to celebrate work by having a day off. We all love it!
3- An example of a April fools' joke for Mum to her Kids!
An idea of April Fool joke you could do to your kids... Note this is not in France but in Quebec :-)
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