I was recently asked to translate a Yiddish letter written on a printed bill of sale form with a printed address " Aleja 1-go Maja 4 Lodz". I concluded the letter was written after the war, because the first of May only became a holiday in Poland under the Soviets - after 1945. However I was wrong because the author of the letter was murdered in the Shoah. So perhaps someone with a knowledge of Lodz history can explain how did a street get named for the First of May in pre-war Poland where membership in the Communist Party was illegal?
May 1st was celebrated as The Labour Movement Holiday >from mid 19th century Lodz streets were renamed several times during 20 century.
Year Street name 1913 Pasaz Szulca 1925 Aleja 1 Maja 1933 Aleja 1 Maja 1939-45 Scharnhorststrasse
