With International Labour Day celebrated in many countries around the world, many Norwegians celebrate Labour Day every year on May 1st. Here are 9 facts about Norway's Labour Day you probably didn't know.
#1: Norway has numerous national holidays
If you thought Norway had just one national holiday—the Constitution Day celebrated every year on May 17—you’d be wrong. The Scandinavian country has six official national holidays, most of which are based on Christian traditions. Other non-Christian days that have become national holidays include New Year’s Eve (December 31), Maundy Thursday (March 25), Good Friday (two days in March or April), Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas (December 25). But why do Norwegians only get off work or school for five out of six? The remaining day is given to International Labour Day, which celebrates organized labour and trade unionism around the world.
#2: Workers didn’t always get a paid day off: Before Norway adopted its current system of national holidays, workers were expected to show up regardless of whether it was a normal working day or not. In 1907, Norway became one of the first countries in Europe to adopt an eight-hour workday; however, employers were not required by law to give their employees a paid rest period. It wasn’t until 1914 that Norway began celebrating Labor Day as an official public holiday. It took another 40 years before Norwegian workers got their first paid vacation time away from work: two weeks per year starting in 1956. Today, Norwegians get at least four weeks of paid vacation each year.
#3: Norway has a lot of public holidays: As mentioned above, Norway has nine national holidays each year—six Christian and three secular ones. That means there are 33 different days off from work or school each year! Norway also adds to its list of annual holidays when special occasions arise. For example, when Princess Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, all government offices closed for three days instead of two because of Norway’s royal wedding celebration. And last year, Norway added yet another new holiday when Queen Sonja turned 80.
#4: Not everyone gets off work on Labour Day: While most businesses close down completely during Norway’s Labor Day celebrations each year, some companies choose to remain open despite being legally allowed to close down if they wish. This includes gas stations, pharmacies and grocery stores. These types of establishments typically operate with fewer staff members on Labour Day than usual so that customers can expect shorter lines and wait times.
#5: There are no parades or fireworks: Norway’s Labor Day isn’t nearly as flashy as other popular springtime festivals like Oktoberfest in Germany or St Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Instead of parades or fireworks displays, Norwegians spend their holiday weekend enjoying picnics with family and friends while taking advantage of extended daylight hours to go hiking, biking or swimming outdoors.
For example, in Norwegian it is called Arbeidernes Internasjonale Kampdag, meaning Workers’ International Struggle Day. In Danish, Polish and Swedish it is called International Workers' Day, while in Finnish it is Työväenjuhla, which means Celebration of Workers. The French name for Labour Day is Fête du Travail, or Festival of Work. The German name for Labour Day is Tag der Arbeit, or Day of Work. The Spanish name for Labour Day is Día del Trabajo, or Day of Work. The Italian name for Labour Day is Festa del Lavoro, or Feast of Work.
In Norway, International Labour Day is considered a holiday, and is often also called Labor Day. It occurs every year on May 1. It became a Norwegian national holiday celebrated every May 1st following World War II, as well as in memory of those who died while fighting with their allies during World War II. . The day was first celebrated after Norway gained its independence from Sweden on May 17, 1905. The first celebration was organized by trade unions and socialist parties to commemorate workers' struggles and solidarity against exploitation. Since then, it has been observed annually on May 1st. In addition to Norway, several other countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1st including India, Bangladesh and many others around the world.
May 1st is an important day for trade unions and workers in Norway. As early as 1879, these two groups had a common tradition: marking May 1st as International Workers’ Day with demonstrations for better pay, working conditions and working hours. It was named International Workers’ Day after American president Grover Cleveland issued a proclamation of support for it in 1886. The holiday became known as Labour Day on May 1st, 1957.
Before it became a national holiday, Norway’s Labour Day was held on September 23rd each year. The event was first celebrated in 1887 to commemorate a strike of building workers in Chicago in 1886. The reason for moving it to May 1st? It’s often tied to International Workers’ Day, which is always celebrated on May 1st. Most other countries that celebrate labour day do so on or around that date, as well. #4: In Norway, it’s called The Holiday of Work: While Labour Day might sound like a celebration for employees only, its name actually refers to everyone who works. Norway has one of Europe’s highest employment rates and has had one of its lowest unemployment rates since 2008. This makes sense when you consider how much Norwegians value work-life balance—another thing they have in common with their Scandinavian neighbors. But even though Norwegians love their jobs, they also know how important it is to take time off and relax once in awhile!
Norway became independent from Sweden in 1814. Even if it was no longer a Swedish province, Norway kept its monarchs (except for a short period from 1814 to 1815 when Denmark was in charge). But that changed on June 7, 1905, when Norway declared itself an independent country and proclaimed a liberal constitution. May 17th is celebrated as Norway’s National day: This is not really related to labour day but more to independence day. Norway had been ruled by Denmark until 1814, then by Sweden until 1905. The first time Norway had been ruled by Norwegians since 1180! Norway celebrates its national day every year on May 17th. In 1907, a strike started right before Labour Day: On May 1st 1907, Norway saw one of its biggest strikes ever. Workers were striking against Russian rule, demanding better working conditions and higher wages. After nine days of fighting with police and military forces, workers won their fight against Russia – something they call The Great Strike today.
Labor Day is a huge event in Norway, celebrated with parties and picnics across most of the country. When Labor Day was first introduced as a national holiday in 1947, children were invited to come out into streets with flags and whistles to celebrate. Nowadays, of course, they’re likely to be playing computer games instead.
The majority of Norwegians will simply be enjoying a day off from work, with about half taking a trip somewhere for their holiday. This is unsurprising when you consider Norway’s beautiful nature and abundance of outdoor activities. Regardless of whether they are at home or away, most Norwegians will celebrate with friends and family on May 1st in honor of Norway’s Labor Day. In larger cities like Oslo and Bergen, however, celebrations such as concerts and festivals will attract people from all over Norway to enjoy food stalls, children’s events, street theatre performances and other social festivities. The city centers are usually filled with celebrants dressed in traditional Norwegian bunads (costumes) throughout May 1st. #7: Norway has one of Europe’s highest percentages of unionized workers: Norway has one of Europe’s highest percentages of unionized workers, with around 70% belonging to unions. It was not always so though; until 1972 it was illegal for employees to join trade unions in Norway. Unions have been present since 1889 but membership was not widespread until after World War II.
Norway’s Labour Party Leader Jonas Gahr Støre posted a statement on his Facebook page. Other party leaders have also made statements, including Conservative Party Leader Erna Solberg, and Christian Democrats Leader Knut Arild Hareide. These statements can be found online. For example, Solberg’s statement is here. The Norwegian Government also issues statements every year to mark Labour Day in Norway. This year’s government statement was written by Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her administration. It was released May 1st, 2017. This year it focused on three things: gender equality in Norway; safety at work; and employment rates for people with disabilities in Norway.
#1: Norway has numerous national holidays
If you thought Norway had just one national holiday—the Constitution Day celebrated every year on May 17—you’d be wrong. The Scandinavian country has six official national holidays, most of which are based on Christian traditions. Other non-Christian days that have become national holidays include New Year’s Eve (December 31), Maundy Thursday (March 25), Good Friday (two days in March or April), Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas (December 25). But why do Norwegians only get off work or school for five out of six? The remaining day is given to International Labour Day, which celebrates organized labour and trade unionism around the world.
#2: Workers didn’t always get a paid day off: Before Norway adopted its current system of national holidays, workers were expected to show up regardless of whether it was a normal working day or not. In 1907, Norway became one of the first countries in Europe to adopt an eight-hour workday; however, employers were not required by law to give their employees a paid rest period. It wasn’t until 1914 that Norway began celebrating Labor Day as an official public holiday. It took another 40 years before Norwegian workers got their first paid vacation time away from work: two weeks per year starting in 1956. Today, Norwegians get at least four weeks of paid vacation each year.
#3: Norway has a lot of public holidays: As mentioned above, Norway has nine national holidays each year—six Christian and three secular ones. That means there are 33 different days off from work or school each year! Norway also adds to its list of annual holidays when special occasions arise. For example, when Princess Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, all government offices closed for three days instead of two because of Norway’s royal wedding celebration. And last year, Norway added yet another new holiday when Queen Sonja turned 80.
#4: Not everyone gets off work on Labour Day: While most businesses close down completely during Norway’s Labor Day celebrations each year, some companies choose to remain open despite being legally allowed to close down if they wish. This includes gas stations, pharmacies and grocery stores. These types of establishments typically operate with fewer staff members on Labour Day than usual so that customers can expect shorter lines and wait times.
#5: There are no parades or fireworks: Norway’s Labor Day isn’t nearly as flashy as other popular springtime festivals like Oktoberfest in Germany or St Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Instead of parades or fireworks displays, Norwegians spend their holiday weekend enjoying picnics with family and friends while taking advantage of extended daylight hours to go hiking, biking or swimming outdoors.
#2: The name of the day changes according to which language you speak
For example, in Norwegian it is called Arbeidernes Internasjonale Kampdag, meaning Workers’ International Struggle Day. In Danish, Polish and Swedish it is called International Workers' Day, while in Finnish it is Työväenjuhla, which means Celebration of Workers. The French name for Labour Day is Fête du Travail, or Festival of Work. The German name for Labour Day is Tag der Arbeit, or Day of Work. The Spanish name for Labour Day is Día del Trabajo, or Day of Work. The Italian name for Labour Day is Festa del Lavoro, or Feast of Work.
#3 History Of Labour Day In Norway
In Norway, International Labour Day is considered a holiday, and is often also called Labor Day. It occurs every year on May 1. It became a Norwegian national holiday celebrated every May 1st following World War II, as well as in memory of those who died while fighting with their allies during World War II. . The day was first celebrated after Norway gained its independence from Sweden on May 17, 1905. The first celebration was organized by trade unions and socialist parties to commemorate workers' struggles and solidarity against exploitation. Since then, it has been observed annually on May 1st. In addition to Norway, several other countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1st including India, Bangladesh and many others around the world.
#4: The first people who got their holiday were miners
May 1st is an important day for trade unions and workers in Norway. As early as 1879, these two groups had a common tradition: marking May 1st as International Workers’ Day with demonstrations for better pay, working conditions and working hours. It was named International Workers’ Day after American president Grover Cleveland issued a proclamation of support for it in 1886. The holiday became known as Labour Day on May 1st, 1957.
#5: Labour Day used to be held in September
Before it became a national holiday, Norway’s Labour Day was held on September 23rd each year. The event was first celebrated in 1887 to commemorate a strike of building workers in Chicago in 1886. The reason for moving it to May 1st? It’s often tied to International Workers’ Day, which is always celebrated on May 1st. Most other countries that celebrate labour day do so on or around that date, as well. #4: In Norway, it’s called The Holiday of Work: While Labour Day might sound like a celebration for employees only, its name actually refers to everyone who works. Norway has one of Europe’s highest employment rates and has had one of its lowest unemployment rates since 2008. This makes sense when you consider how much Norwegians value work-life balance—another thing they have in common with their Scandinavian neighbors. But even though Norwegians love their jobs, they also know how important it is to take time off and relax once in awhile!
#6: The strike against Russian rule started right before Labour Day 1907
Norway became independent from Sweden in 1814. Even if it was no longer a Swedish province, Norway kept its monarchs (except for a short period from 1814 to 1815 when Denmark was in charge). But that changed on June 7, 1905, when Norway declared itself an independent country and proclaimed a liberal constitution. May 17th is celebrated as Norway’s National day: This is not really related to labour day but more to independence day. Norway had been ruled by Denmark until 1814, then by Sweden until 1905. The first time Norway had been ruled by Norwegians since 1180! Norway celebrates its national day every year on May 17th. In 1907, a strike started right before Labour Day: On May 1st 1907, Norway saw one of its biggest strikes ever. Workers were striking against Russian rule, demanding better working conditions and higher wages. After nine days of fighting with police and military forces, workers won their fight against Russia – something they call The Great Strike today.
#7: Children used to go out into the streets with flags and whistles
Labor Day is a huge event in Norway, celebrated with parties and picnics across most of the country. When Labor Day was first introduced as a national holiday in 1947, children were invited to come out into streets with flags and whistles to celebrate. Nowadays, of course, they’re likely to be playing computer games instead.
#8: Most Norwegians celebrate at home with family or friends
The majority of Norwegians will simply be enjoying a day off from work, with about half taking a trip somewhere for their holiday. This is unsurprising when you consider Norway’s beautiful nature and abundance of outdoor activities. Regardless of whether they are at home or away, most Norwegians will celebrate with friends and family on May 1st in honor of Norway’s Labor Day. In larger cities like Oslo and Bergen, however, celebrations such as concerts and festivals will attract people from all over Norway to enjoy food stalls, children’s events, street theatre performances and other social festivities. The city centers are usually filled with celebrants dressed in traditional Norwegian bunads (costumes) throughout May 1st. #7: Norway has one of Europe’s highest percentages of unionized workers: Norway has one of Europe’s highest percentages of unionized workers, with around 70% belonging to unions. It was not always so though; until 1972 it was illegal for employees to join trade unions in Norway. Unions have been present since 1889 but membership was not widespread until after World War II.
#9: Every party leader issues statements
Norway’s Labour Party Leader Jonas Gahr Støre posted a statement on his Facebook page. Other party leaders have also made statements, including Conservative Party Leader Erna Solberg, and Christian Democrats Leader Knut Arild Hareide. These statements can be found online. For example, Solberg’s statement is here. The Norwegian Government also issues statements every year to mark Labour Day in Norway. This year’s government statement was written by Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her administration. It was released May 1st, 2017. This year it focused on three things: gender equality in Norway; safety at work; and employment rates for people with disabilities in Norway.
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