1. May 1, 1970, marked the day the Mississippi House of Representatives officially abolished the state's flag, which featured the Confederate battle emblem.
2. On May 1, 1961, the Freedom Rides, which were aimed at desegregating bus terminals in the South, arrived in Jackson, Mississippi, and were met with violent opposition.
3. May 1, 1863, saw the Battle of Port Gibson fought during the Civil War, ultimately leading to the fall of Vicksburg to Union forces.
4. In 1950, May 1 was designated Law Day by the American Bar Association to celebrate the role of law in maintaining freedom and justice in the country, with Mississippi holding events in observance.
5. On May 1, 1886, the first Labor Day celebration in the United States was held, celebrating workers' rights at a rally in Chicago, which eventually led to the creation of a national holiday. Mississippi has since recognized the holiday as an official state holiday.