USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -An explosion in Chicago in 1886 helped to shift the labor movement toward “bread-and-butter” unionism. On May 1, 1886, thousands of people in Chicago began demonstrations in behalf of an eight-hour workday. The marchers’ slogan was, “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will."

Detailed explanation-2: -On May 4, 1886, a bomb detonates near Haymarket Square in Chicago after police arrive to break up a rally in support of striking workers. This protest is one of a number of strikes, demonstrations, and other events held by workers and their supporters in Chicago from May 1-4 to advocate for an eight hour workday.

Detailed explanation-3: -A grand jury eventually indicted 31 suspected labor radicals in connection with the bombing, and eight men were convicted in a sensational and controversial trial. Judge Joseph E. Gary imposed the death sentence on seven of the men, and the eighth was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Haymarket Riot (also known as the “Haymarket Incident” and “Haymarket Affair”) occurred on May 4, 1886, when a labor protest rally near Chicago’s Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died as a result of the violence that day.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Haymarket Riot was not successful in achieving its short-term goals and undermined the labor movements attempts to bring about better work conditions, but did raise awareness of the conflict between labor and business.