1. The May Day Riots of 1971: On May 1, 1971, thousands of anti-war protesters descended on the District of Columbia to protest US involvement in the Vietnam War. The protests turned violent, with rioters clashing with police and setting fires throughout the city. Over 12,000 protesters were arrested in what became known as the May Day Riots.

2. May Day as International Workers’ Day: May 1 has long been celebrated as a workers' holiday in much of the world. In the District of Columbia, the day is marked by rallies and marches organized by labor unions and worker advocacy groups.

3. The Origins of May Day: The origins of May Day as a workers' holiday can be traced back to the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, when workers staged a general strike to demand an 8-hour workday. May 1 was chosen as the date for the strike in solidarity with workers in Europe who were also organizing around this issue.

4. May Day Protests and Civil Rights: Throughout the 20th century, May Day also became an important date for civil rights protests in the District of Columbia. In 1963, thousands of people marched on the National Mall on May Day to demand an end to segregation and discrimination.

5. May Day Celebrations Today: Today, May Day is celebrated across the District of Columbia with a variety of events, including labor rallies, folk festivals, and other cultural events. In recent years, May Day has also become a rallying point for immigrant rights activists, who hold protests and marches in support of immigrant workers' rights.