The first May Day in Athens – Kallergis and the newspaper “Socialist” | Banking wars
The first celebration of May Day was held in Athens in 1893 on the initiative of Stavros Kallergis, head of the Central Socialist Association. Among the demands of the protesters were the introduction of the 8 o’clock, but also of Sunday on a holiday, as well as the granting of a pension to the victims of accidents at work.
According to the newspaper “Socialist”, published by Kallergis, at 5 pm on Sunday, more than 2,000 socialists and workers gathered at the Stadium. “Efimeris” estimated them at only 200 and noted in an article: “Most of them were working, mostly dressed, with a red badge on the button box, and very quiet people. “These are the first socialists in Greece, and they met yesterday at their first rally in Athens.”
The assembly adopted a resolution which read as follows:
“Meeting today, May 2, Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Ancient Stadium, the following signed members of the Central Socialist Association “and we voted for the sick:
A) On Sunday to close the shops, all day, and the citizens to rest.
B) They work 8 hours a day.
C) A pension is awarded to those who suffer from work and become incapable of supporting themselves and their families.
D) The council of the “Central Socialist Association” to allow the resolution in the Parliament. “
The first celebration was episodic. Kallergis submitted a resolution to the Parliament, but the obstruction of the President of the House to read it provoked his strong protest, as a result of which the soldiers of the guard beat him with their sticks, arrested him for his disposition and imprisoned him for ten days. Old Barracks prisons.
According to the newspaper “Socialist”, at 5 pm on Sunday, more than 2,000 socialists and workers gathered at the Stadium.
On the contrary, “Efimeris” estimated them at only 200 and noted in its article: “Most of them were working, most of them properly dressed, with a red badge on the button box, and very quiet people. “These are the first socialists in Greece, and they met yesterday at their first rally in Athens.”
WHO WAS KALERGIS
Kallergis did not come from a poor family. Born in Crete and raised “in the palace” in Athens, he was the one who as a student was not only introduced to socialism, but is also considered the forerunner of Socialism in Greece.
At the age of 19, a student at the Polytechnic School of Architecture, he was the first to organize the first large student protest (Polytechnic Students’ Union) in front of the old one with the slogans: “Free education and equality, brother, community ownership”. George Kallergis’s father was cruel. And he became even harder with his son, when that day he was warned by King George to see his son’s joys! His father had been hired at the Palace where he lived with his wife Irene and of course with his son Stavros Kallergis.
After that demonstration, his father was forced to leave the Palace and return to Crete. Stavros Kallergis stayed in Athens and continued the fight.
His phrase “The one who pays according to his strength to enjoy according to his needs”, was left in history.