On this day: the Cripple Creek miners’ strike began in 1894

Cripple Creek under martial law, 1894.

On the 7^th of February, 1894, tensions between the Western Federation of Miners and their employers boiled over into what would be a strike lasting five months.

In Cripple Creek, Colorado, the eight hour working day had been extended to a ten hour day without any raise in pay for the miners.

Illegal sheriff’s deputies under military guard, 1894.

The strike was characterised by firefights and dynamite, and the state militia became involved in the situation.

Eventually the strike was a major victory for the miners’ union.