This May Day, Joanna Davidson CBE, Chair of WM College, reminds us that the fight for workers’ rights must include the right to lifelong learning. In a piece for FE Week, she reflects on the history of May Day as a celebration of workers’ dignity, rights, and opportunity — and highlights how access to adult education is more vital than ever. 

Founded in 1854, the Working Men’s College was born from the same social inequalities that led to the first May Day marches. It opened its doors to working people, offering education that could empower them not just to work, but to think, create, and lead — a mission that remains urgent today. 

However, funding cuts, rising living costs, and a narrow focus on skills for productivity now threaten access to adult education across the UK. Without meaningful investment, many adults risk being locked out of opportunities for reskilling, growth, and community participation — just when we need it most. 

Adult education is not a luxury. It is a fundamental part of social mobility, mental wellbeing, and economic resilience. 
 
Read Joanna’s full reflections in FE Week and join the call to keep adult learning at the heart of the fight for workers’ rights.

Want to know more about the history of May 1^st? 

May 1st, International Workers’ Day, has its origins in the American labour movement, specifically in the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago. The incident, which arose from workers’ protests demanding an eight-hour workday, marked a turning point in the fight for better working conditions and the rights of workers. The tragedy and subsequent trials led to May 1st becoming an annual day of commemoration for workers’ rights and solidarity. 

The importance of this day quickly spread beyond the United States. In the UK, trade unions and socialist groups adopted May Day as a day to push for improved working conditions, fair wages, and social reforms. It became a unifying moment for workers globally, with marches, rallies, and events that highlighted the ongoing struggles for workers’ rights. 

For WM College, the spirit of May Day and the fight for social justice resonates deeply. Established in 1854, it was founded in the wake of similar movements for equality and access to education. At a time when education was predominantly reserved for the elite, WM College offered opportunities for the working class to learn, grow, and change their futures. The college’s legacy of providing accessible education to all continues to reflect the values of the international workers’ movement, supporting social mobility and empowerment for everyone. 

May Day Quiz – one for the history lovers out there… 

1. What year did the Haymarket Affair take place, which became a key event in the origin of International Workers’ Day? 

A) 1880 

B) 1882 

C) 1886 

D) 1890 
 

2. Which country first officially recognized May 1st as International Workers’ Day? 

A) France 

B) United States 

C) Germany 

D) Soviet Union 

3. Why is May Day significant in the context of workers’ rights? 

A) It celebrates the start of the harvest season 

B) It marks the labor movement’s struggle for better working conditions and an eight-hour workday 

C) It honors the industrial revolution’s impact 

D) It was originally a religious holiday for workers 
 

4. Which historical event in the U.S. led to the establishment of May 1st as International Workers’ Day? 

A) The signing of the Fair Labor Standards Act 

B) The Haymarket Affair 

C) The Great Depression 

D) The Pullman Strike 
 

5. Which of the following is NOT typically associated with May Day celebrations? 

A) Labour union parades 

B) Protests for workers’ rights 

C) Public speeches advocating for social change 

D) Religious ceremonies in honour of workers 

1. Answer C – 1886 

2. Answer D – Soviet Union 

3. Answer B – It marks the labour movement’s struggle for better working conditions and an eight-hour workday 

4. Answer B – The Haymarket Affair 

5. Answer D – Religious ceremonies in honour of workers