Twenty Murdered and a City Rises Up

A pivotal moment in The Great Strike occurred here on July 21st, 1877, when striking railroad workers blocked the tracks as their families and supporters watched from the hillside. Militiamen from Philadelphia were brought in to clear the workers from the tracks and restore train service. At about 5pm, they fixed bayonets and charged the unmoving crowd, which fought back by throwing stones. The troops then opened fire on the striking workmen and turned their guns on women and children watching from the hillside. Twenty people were killed, including at least 3 children. The use of state troops to assault citizens outraged the general population of Pittsburgh, and a furious mob forced the Philadelphia troops out of the city. For two days after the massacre, Pittsburghers looted and burned every piece of Pennsylvania Railroad property between this point and Downtown.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · United States