News media have been making much of the idea that May Day is a "forgotten event" in America, while many other countries celebrate it as International Workers Day. It seems there was some violence between striking workers and police in Chicago in 1886, resulting in the death of seven cops and four civilians, as well as scores of casualties.
Later, eight men were arrested and brought to trial. Seven were sentenced to death and one to 15 years in prison. Eventually, governor of Illinois criticized the trial and pardoned those who had not already been hanged.
National Public Radio in America ran a feature stressing that the May Day holiday had its beginning in the Chicago incident, and May Day is still observed worldwide, but largely forgotten in America.
Perhaps in the context of labor unions and workers' rights.
Forgotten by NPR and others is the observance of May Day going back many centuries by churches and spiritual groups -- including some that would be labeled "pagan."
Remember dancing around the May pole and spreading garlands of flowers?
Picky, picky, picky.
From the White House fund-raising pitch: "This certificate hereby confirms the authenticity of the accompanying limited edition fine art print. This print is an authentic reproduction of the original."
Translation: This guarantees that the print is a copy.
This pitch goes into the same category as the car dealer offering "guaranteed pre-owned vehicles." Translation: "We guarantee that this is a used car."
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