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April 1886
-American laborers rally and lobby in support of the eight-hour work day with no reduction in pay
-Chicago nearly 50,000 workers win this concession from employers
-Chicago City Council, with the support of Mayor Harrison approve the eight-hour work day for city employees -
Period: to
Haymarket Riot
Laborers riot about the eight-hour work day -
Strike In Chicago
100,000 workers go on strike in support of the eight-hour work day. The strike end peacefully in Chicago, where German anarchist toast their "Emancipation Day." -
Police Attack
While August Spies speaks, police attack demonstartors with clubs and bullets at McCormick's Reaper Works. Spies writes a circular urging a militant response to the death of "six brothers." Then in the evening, 8-hour leaders meet at Grief's Hall to discuss a strategy. -
The Haymarket Riot
At 7:30, a rally protesting the violent attack on demonstrators at McCormicks and support the eight-hour day begins at Haymarket in Chicago. At 8:15, August Spies arrives at the rally. At 8:30, Albert Parsons arrives at meeting of American Group. Half an hour later he starts speaking at Haymarket, speaks for an hour and then leaves. Samuel Fielden begins speaking about 10 PM, police tell them to stop at 10:20. a bomb is thrown into the police and Parson departs after hearing the incident. -
Getting Caught
August Spies, Henry Spies, Lizzie Holmes and Michael Schwab are arrested at the Arbeiter-Zeitung, as the police raid the newspaper. Elsewhere, the police arrest Adolph Fischer, Gerhard Lizius, Herman Pudewa, Lucy Parsons, Sarah Ames, and Samuel Fielden. In response to the Haymarket Riot, Mayor Harrison proclaims that all public gatherings are now illegal. -
Lingg Is Arrested
After an intense struggle with a police officer, Lingg is arrested. -
Charged With Murder
The Grand jury returns indictments against Albert Parsons, August Spies, Michael Schwab, Samuel Fielden, George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Oscar Neebe, Louis Lingg, William Seliger, and Rudolph Schnaubelt. They are charged with the murder of Officer Degan. -
Bombthrowing
The Grand Jury issues its report to Judge Rogers. The grand jury concludes that the bombthrowing was a direct result of a deliberate conspiracy. -
Parson Surrenders
In dramatic fashion, Parsons willingly surrenders by walking into court on the first day of the proceedings. Jury selection begins. -
The Jury's Decision
Jury delivers its verdict of guilty for the 8 defendants. All defendants, except Neebe, are sentenced to receive the death penalty. Neebe is sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.
