Hello friends, it is May 4th, 2025. Okay, sure get out all your "May the fourth be with you," junk for Star Wars day.
But much more important is that it's the anniversary of two critical events in American history that shaped the world that we live in.
May 4, 1886: The Haymarket Square Massacre
A bomb was set off at a pro-labor rally in Haymarket Square in Chicago. This event is generally considered a turning point in the labor movement and the reason that International Workers' Day is May 1st in countries all around the world.
(Also, the US government didn't want to have a "Workers' Day" celebration associated with the massacre, which is why here in the US we don't celebrate International Workers Day, and instead have "Labor Day" at the end of summer.)
May 4, 1970: The Kent State Massacre
The Ohio National Guard opened fire on peaceful anti-war protesters at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine others (the National Guard's shooting was so indiscriminate that two of those killed were on the sidelines watching the protest between classes, and were not even participants).
This caused immediate outrage on college campuses across the country, and ultimately 4 million students participated in planned student strikes and protests.
This may have finally turned the tide of public sentiment against the war in Vietnam.
So
Today, May 4th, 2025, please go hug an old hippy and kiss a Wobbly and thank them.
