Today in Labor History—May 11

Max Hoedel

May 11, 1878 – Emil Heinrich Maximilian Hoedel, a 21-year-old worker-anarchist, shot Emperor Guillaume I of Prussia to publicize the plight of the workers. He was executed July 16, 1878, with the following last words: "Vive la commune." (From the Daily Bleed)

May 11, 1891 – There was a national building-trades strike on this date in 1891. (From the Daily Bleed)

Pullman Strikers and National Guard Troops Outside Arcade Building, Chicago

May 11, 1894 – The Pullman Railroad Strike began in Chicago, Illinois. This was she largest industrial strike to date in the U.S. Eugene Debs rose to prominence as a labor leader during this strike, which was eventually broken by federal troops. At least 24 strikers were killed. (From the Daily Bleed)

Daniel De Leon, 1902

May 11, 1914 – Marxist theorist, socialist labor party and union organizer Daniel De Leon died on this date in New York City. De Leon was also a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1904. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 11, 1968 – The Parisian "Night of the Barricades," occurred from May 10-11, with intense fighting between students and police. Students and workers called for a General Strike on May 13. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 11, 1968 – Poor People’s Campaign caravans arrived in Washington, D.C., with Ralph Abernathy and the Southern Christian Leadership Corps being granted a permit for an encampment on the Mall. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 11, 1968 – 4,500 British Columbia lumber workers ended a 7-month strike on this date. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 11, 1983 – A General Strike was called in Chile, in support of textile workers who had been on strike since 1982. The police attacked protestors with tear gas. Two people were killed in La Victoria; 600 were arrested. (From the Daily Bleed)