About this episode
On this day, 5 May 1886, the Bay View Massacre took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
14,000 labourers at Milwaukee's largest employer, Bay View Rolling Mills, were striking to replace the ten-hour shift with an eight-hour workday for the same rate of pay. The Wisconsin State Militia, which was dispatched by Governor Jeremiah Rusk, opened fire on the strikers. The aftermath resulted in sixty wounded, and seven unarmed workers dead.
Among those who died are Frank Kunkel, Frank Nowarczyk, John Marsh, Robert Erdman, Johann Zazka, Martin Jankowiak, Michael Ruchalski, and a 13 year old boy.
Learn more about the strike for the eight hour day and May Day which commemorates it in our podcast episode 85, available for our patreon supporters: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e85-may-day-with-103374699
More info and sources: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/11384/Bay-View-massacre
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
14,000 labourers at Milwaukee's largest employer, Bay View Rolling Mills, were striking to replace the ten-hour shift with an eight-hour workday for the same rate of pay. The Wisconsin State Militia, which was dispatched by Governor Jeremiah Rusk, opened fire on the strikers. The aftermath resulted in sixty wounded, and seven unarmed workers dead.
Among those who died are Frank Kunkel, Frank Nowarczyk, John Marsh, Robert Erdman, Johann Zazka, Martin Jankowiak, Michael Ruchalski, and a 13 year old boy.
Learn more about the strike for the eight hour day and May Day which commemorates it in our podcast episode 85, available for our patreon supporters: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e85-may-day-with-103374699
More info and sources: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/11384/Bay-View-massacre
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
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