@Arantxa 1 May was chosen to be International Workers' Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. On Saturday, May 1, thousands of workers who went on strike and attended rallies that were held throughout the United States sang from the anthem, Eight Hour.
@MartinII it does always rain. The only reason why we don't have it on the first, is because other than Good Friday and whatever day Christmas falls, we only have bank holidays on Mondays.