This is the first of what would be at least twelve editions of this pamphlet. It makes for an interesting read as the text changes each year to follow the changing political line of the Party. For example, later revisions would drop the ‘fascist’ label for the A.F.L., whole sections about Communism, and other concessions to the Popular Front.

The History of May Day by Alexander Trachtenberg. International Pamphlets No. 14. International Publishers, New York. 1931.

Contents: The Fight for the Shorter Work Week, Eight-Hour Movement Started in America, First International Adopts the Eight-Hour Day, Marx on the Eight-Hour Movement, May Day Born in the United States, Preparations for May Day Strike, The Strike Movement Spreads, The Chicago Strike and Haymarket, May Day Becomes International, Engels on International May Day, Reformists Attempt to Cripple May Day, Lenin on May Day, May Day Political Slogans, Rosa Luxemburg on May Day, May Day in War Time, The Comintern Inherits May Day Traditions, A Political Mass Strike on May Day, The A.F. of L. Becomes Fascist, The Social-Fascism of the S.P., Revolutionary Traditions of American Labor, May 1 and March 8 Contribution of American Workers, The Future Belongs to Communism. 32 pages.

International Publishers was formed in 1923 for the purpose of translating and disseminating international Marxist texts and headed by Alexander Trachtenberg. It quickly outgrew that mission to be the main book publisher, while Workers Library continued to be the pamphlet publisher of the Communist Party.

PDF of full pamphlet: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/parties/cpusa/international-pamphlets/n14-1st-ed-1931-The-History-of-May-Day-Alexander-Trachtenberg.pdf