The Haymarket Riot, also known as the Haymarket Affair or Haymarket Massacre, took place in Chicago on May 4, 1886. It was a pivotal event in the history of American labor movements and US [economics](https://doctorparadox.net/category/economics/). ## Background In the late 19th century, the push for an eight-hour workday was a significant labor movement in the United States. Workers across the country organized strikes and protests to demand shorter hours. At the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago, workers had been on strike since February 1886, advocating for an eight-hour workday. On May 3, police were called to suppress a skirmish that had broken out between the strikers and strikebreakers. In the confrontation, the police opened fire and killed several strikers. ## The Riot In response to the violence at McCormick, a public meeting was called for the following day at Haymarket Square. The gathering was initially peaceful. However, as the last speaker was finishing, the police attempted to disperse the crowd, which had dwindled to a few hundred. As the police moved in, an unknown person threw a bomb into their ranks, killing one officer instantly and injuring several others. The police and possibly some members of the crowd opened fire, leading to a chaotic scene. In the end, at least seven police officers and an unknown number of civilians were killed, with scores more injured. ## Aftermath The events of Haymarket caused widespread panic. Eight prominent anarchists were arrested and charged with murder, though there was no evidence directly linking them to the bombing. Their trial was marked by public hysteria and significant legal irregularities. Four of the defendants were hanged, one committed suicide in jail, and the remaining three were pardoned in 1893 by Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld, who criticized the trial as unfair. The Haymarket Riot had a significant impact on the labor movement in America. It led to a backlash against labor unions and a decline in the push for the eight-hour workday. However, it also galvanized support for workers' rights among many, and in the long run, it added momentum to the broader labor movement. It's commemorated internationally in the form of May Day (May 1st) as a day to recognize laborers and their contributions.