1886 General Strike for the 8-hour Day

In 1884 it was declared by the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (FOTLU) in both the United States and Canada that May 1, 1886 would be the day when the eight-hour day would become law. Labor organizations across the country prepared for a general strike to be held on that date. Police and militias were prepared in case things became violent.

On May 1, 1886 rallies were held throughout the country. Estimates put 10,000 strikers in New York, 11,000 in Detroit, and 90,000 in Chicago, which was the largest rally that day. These rallies were impressive not only because of their size, but because of their diversity. Blacks and whites stood together on this day, something that was incredibly unique in this time period. As demonstrators marched down the street, police and militias armed themselves and prepared to intervene at the slightest hint that things would become rough. These concerns were completely unfounded and the day went by peacefully.

Over 65,000 workers rallied again in Chicago on May 3rd. This demonstration, like those two days earlier, advocated for workers’ rights and was completely peaceful. Eventually a large group of police officers arrived at the location. They drew their weapons and charged the workers. As the strikers tried to flee the scene, police opened fire. The shots struck men and boys in the back while they attempted to escape. Six were killed in the brutal police action, and many suffered serious injuries.

The next day 3,000 people came together in Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest police violence. Several speakers voiced their disgust at the actions of Chicago’s police force. The demonstrators were not alone as 180 police officers were on the scene, standing in military formation. After several speakers, the police drew their batons and demanded that the demonstrators disperse immediately. While the leaders of the demonstration argued that this was a peaceful protest, someone in the crowd threw a bomb at the police formation. One officer was killed immediately, seven died later of injuries, and 65 were wounded. In response the police drew their weapons and opened fire on the crowd. Two hundred protestors were injured, and an unknown number were killed.

Rudolph Schnaubelt was identified by witnesses as the man who tossed the bomb. He was arrested but released without being charged. Many suspect that he was hired by either the police or Chicago’s industrialists to instigate the riot. After Schnaubelt’s release, seven labor leaders were arrested and charged. Their trial was a sham, the prosecution never suggested that any of these men had actually committed a crime, but they were charged for inspiring it. In addition, several openly biased jurors were allowed to serve. Ultimately, all but one of the labor leaders were sentenced to death. Oscar Neebe was sentence to 15 years in prison, but he later asked that he be given a death sentence because he was no more innocent than the other defendants.

After the events of 1886, May first was declared “May Day.” May Day became a day to honor the labor movement and is celebrated held throughout the world. Seven years after the Haymarket Riot the governor of Illinois, John Peter Altgeld, pardoned the Haymarket defendants, despite openly acknowledging that to do so meant political suicide.

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