In July 1889, at the first meeting in Paris of the Second International (1889–1916), May 1st was proclaimed as an annual day to demonstrate workers’ solidarity. Some German authorities were terrified that a rebellion would break out on May 1, 1890, but the Social Democratic leaders, having scored a breakthrough in the Reichstag elections of February 1890, had no need to preside over a “military review” two months later. Parades and excursions like the one shown here in the Dresden neighborhood of Loschwitz were commonplace.
Source: “Die Arbeiterkundgebung am 1. Mai in Dresden; Auszug der Arbeiter nach Loschwitz. Originalzeichnung von E. Zimmer” [“The Workers’ Rally on May 1 in Dresden; Procession of the Workers to Loschwitz. Original drawing by E. Zimmer”], Illustrirte Zeitung (Leipzig and Berlin), Band 94, Nr. 2445 (10. May 1890), p. 477.
Eight-Hour Workday (1894), published in German History Intersections, https://germanhistory-intersections.org/en/germanness/ghis:image-198
May Day Demonstration in Madgeburg’s Luisenpark (1911), published in German History Intersections, https://germanhistory-intersections.org/en/germanness/ghis:image-199