Rallies are held throughout the United States demanding the eight-hour work day, culminating in the Haymarket affair in Chicago, in commemoration of which May 1 is celebrated as International Workers' Day in many countries.
The Haymarket Affair, known by several names including the Haymarket Massacre, Riot, or Incident, represents a pivotal and tragic moment in American labor history. It was the devastating aftermath of a bombing that occurred during a labor demonstration on May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois.
The Rally and the Bombing
The events leading to the Haymarket Affair began peacefully enough. Workers across the United States, facing grueling twelve-to-fourteen-hour workdays in often unsafe conditions, were passionately advocating for an eight-hour workday. Chicago had become a hotbed of this labor activism. Just a day before the Haymarket gathering, police had violently confronted striking workers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, resulting in the deaths of at least one worker and injuries to several others. This incident fueled outrage and prompted a rally at Haymarket Square to protest police brutality and continue the push for the eight-hour day.
On the evening of May 4, thousands gathered at Haymarket Square. The rally was largely calm, with various speakers addressing the crowd. As the evening progressed and the crowd began to thin, a contingent of police officers marched into the square, ordering the remaining attendees to disperse. It was at this tense moment, as the police advanced, that an unknown individual hurled a dynamite bomb into their ranks. The explosion was horrific, immediately followed by an exchange of gunfire between police and some of the armed attendees. The chaos resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and at least four civilians, with dozens more wounded on both sides.
The Controversial Trials and Their Aftermath
In the wake of this profound violence, an intense public outcry and a determined police investigation ensued. Eight prominent anarchists, many of whom were leaders in the labor movement and known for their radical views, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The legal proceedings that followed captivated national and international attention, becoming a symbol of the deep societal divisions between labor and capital. Prosecutors argued that the anarchists, through their incendiary speeches and writings, had incited the bombing, even if they had not personally thrown the device. During the trial, evidence suggested that one of the defendants might have constructed the bomb, but crucially, no direct evidence proved that any of the accused had thrown it. Despite this, all eight were convicted of conspiracy.
Seven of the convicted anarchists were sentenced to death, while one received a fifteen-year prison term. The sentences sparked further controversy and widespread debate about justice and the fairness of the trial. Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby later commuted two of the death sentences to life imprisonment. Another defendant, Louis Lingg, tragically committed suicide in jail on the eve of his execution, asserting his innocence. On November 11, 1887, known as "Black Friday" by labor activists, four of the condemned men—Albert Parsons, August Spies, Adolph Fischer, and George Engel—were hanged.
Years later, in 1893, Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld courageously reviewed the case, ultimately pardoning the remaining defendants. He issued a scathing critique of the trial, citing insufficient evidence, jury bias, and a general miscarriage of justice, thereby deepening the enduring controversy surrounding the Haymarket Affair.
Lasting Significance and Legacy
The Haymarket Affair left an indelible mark on both American and global history. It is widely regarded as a pivotal event that gave rise to International Workers' Day, or May Day, which is observed annually on May 1st by workers and labor movements worldwide as a tribute to the struggle for an eight-hour workday and fair labor practices. In the United States, however, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September, partly to distance the American labor movement from the radical connotations associated with Haymarket and May Day.
This tragic incident also marked the climax of a period of intense social unrest among the American working class known as the "Great Upheaval," a turbulent era characterized by widespread strikes, lockouts, and violent confrontations between labor and management. As labor historian William J. Adelman profoundly noted, "No single event has influenced the history of labor in Illinois, the United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair. It began with a rally on May 4, 1886, but the consequences are still being felt today." He further emphasized how rarely this event is accurately presented in history, despite its monumental significance.
Today, the Haymarket Affair is commemorated at its historic locations. The site of the incident at Haymarket Square in Chicago was officially designated a Chicago landmark in 1992, with a commemorative sculpture dedicated there in 2004. Furthermore, the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument, located at the defendants' burial site in Forest Park, was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1997, ensuring that the memory and lessons of this defining event continue to resonate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Haymarket Affair?
The Haymarket Affair was a violent confrontation that occurred on May 4, 1886, in Chicago, Illinois, following a bombing at a labor demonstration. It began as a peaceful rally in support of striking workers advocating for an eight-hour workday, but escalated when an unknown person threw a bomb at police attempting to disperse the crowd, leading to multiple deaths and injuries.
When and where did the Haymarket Affair take place?
The primary incident, the bombing, occurred on May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
What led to the Haymarket Affair?
The affair was sparked by a peaceful labor rally supporting workers who were striking for an eight-hour workday. The rally was also a protest against police violence that had occurred the previous day at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, where police had killed and injured several striking workers.
Who were the "Haymarket Martyrs"?
The "Haymarket Martyrs" refers to the anarchists who were convicted in the aftermath of the bombing. Eight individuals were charged with conspiracy, and although none were proven to have thrown the bomb, seven were sentenced to death. Four were hanged on November 11, 1887; one committed suicide; and two had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. The remaining defendants were later pardoned by Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld.
Why is the Haymarket Affair significant today?
The Haymarket Affair is historically significant for several reasons: it is widely considered the origin of International Workers' Day (May Day), it marked a violent turning point in the struggle for workers' rights, and it profoundly influenced the perception and organization of the labor movement in the U.S. and globally. It also highlights critical issues of justice, civil liberties, and the power dynamics between labor, capital, and the state.
What was the "Great Upheaval"?
The "Great Upheaval" refers to a period of intense and widespread labor unrest in the United States during the 1880s, characterized by numerous strikes, protests, and violent confrontations between industrial workers and their employers. The Haymarket Affair is often considered the climax of this turbulent era.
Was the trial of the Haymarket anarchists fair?
The fairness of the trial has been a subject of intense debate and controversy. Critics, including later Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld who pardoned the surviving defendants, argued that the trial was heavily biased, lacked direct evidence connecting the accused to the bomb-throwing, and served more as a political condemnation of anarchism than a pursuit of justice. Many historians today view it as a significant miscarriage of justice.