November 11 - Haymarket Martyrs Executed

Labor History in 2:00 · Nov 11, 2026 · 1m

On this day in Labor History the year was 1887.

That was the day that four men were hung in Chicago for their alleged role in the bombing at a labor rally at the city’s Haymarket Square a year earlier.

Eight men were put on trial.

Although the prosecution did not prove any of the men had ties to the bombing, five were sentenced to die.

Louis Lingg died in jail before the execution could take place.

The others were martyred for their support of the labor movement and the fight for the eight-hour day.

Three of those executed were born in Germany.

August Spies and Adolph Fischer, worked for a…