Um Dia, Muitas Histórias... Trajetória e Concepções do Primeiro de Maio em Fortaleza, da Primeira República ao Estado Novo

Abstract

The First May Day, which origins are related to the fights for better working conditions of the laboring class at the end of the 19th century, showed up throughout time as the main laboring rite because of its internationalist character as well as for the meaning of its commemoration. Through History a constant dispute along May Day’s politic and ideological motto is observed: sometimes it constitutes itself as a “Day of Work”, under form of paying homage to “colaboradores do progresso” by State, mainly during the “varguismo” (1930- 1945); other times as a “Day of Laboring Class”, that is, a date destined to the reflection of the workers on its condition, which intention was to socialize themselves; or even to fight against capital, when recollect the “Chicago Martyrs”. This research aimed to analyze the trajectory of May Day’s commemorations in Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, during the period between “First Republic” and “Estado Novo”. Amongst the objectives of this research, one of them was to point out which had been the main appropriations and meanings of this laboring rite presented among the disputes of its meanings for the workers, State and Catholic Church.