Calendar
Armed revolutionary soldiers, sailors, and civilians are photographed on November 8th, 1918 in Berlin, Germany. [jacobinmag.com]
Berlin General Strike (1918)Jan 28th, 1918

On this day in 1918, 200k-400k workers initiated a revolutionary general strike in Berlin to demand an end to World War I and the democratization of their government. By the end of the week, more than half a million were participating.

Image: Armed revolutionary soldiers, sailors, and civilians are photographed on November 8th, 1918 in Berlin, Germany. [jacobinmag.com]

Group of estate workers on a sugar plantation in St. Kitts [historicstkitts.kn]
Buckley's Sugar Strike (1935)Jan 28th, 1935

On this day in 1935, sugar cane cutters on Buckley's Estate on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts went on strike after not receiving a pay raise that year. Soldiers and police fired into a crowd of strikers, killing 3. 39 were arrested.

Image: Group of estate workers on a sugar plantation in St. Kitts [historicstkitts.kn]

A non-contemporary representation of the execution of Matija Gubec at the square in front of St. Mark's Church in Zagreb, by Oton Iveković (1912) [Wikipedia]
Croatian-Slovene Peasant Revolt (1573)Jan 28th, 1573

On this day in 1573, the Croatian-Slovene Peasant Revolt began with an attack on the fortress of Cesargrad, near the town of Klanjec. Peasants formed their own government, planning to abolish feudalism and establish self-rule.

Image: A non-contemporary representation of the execution of Matija Gubec at the square in front of St. Mark's Church in Zagreb, by Oton Iveković (1912) [Wikipedia]

A map showing communist areas of control, Finland February 1918 [Wikipedia]
Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic Established (1918)Jan 28th, 1918

On this day in 1918, the Finnish People's Delegation declared a socialist workers' republic (known as "Red Finland"), at the start of the Finnish Civil War. The burgeoning working class movement was crushed by imperialist German forces.

Image: A map showing communist areas of control, Finland February 1918 [Wikipedia]

Irish politician and Trade Unionist James (Jim) Larkin, circa 1910. [Wikipedia]
James Larkin (1874 - 1947)Jan 28th, 1874

James Larkin, born on this day in 1874, was an Irish republican, revolutionary socialist, and trade unionist who co-founded the industrial Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, the Irish Labour Party, and the Irish Citizen's Army.

Image: Irish politician and Trade Unionist James (Jim) Larkin, circa 1910. [Wikipedia]

Elías Lafertte deposits an offering for the victims of incidents in Plaza Bulnes. [Wikipedia]
Plaza Bulnes Massacre (1946)Jan 28th, 1946

On this day in 1946, a group of labor organizers in Santiago, Chile were gunned down by police while holding a solidarity rally in Plaza Bulnes. Six were killed and several more were wounded.

Image: Elías Lafertte deposits an offering for the victims of incidents in Plaza Bulnes. [Wikipedia]

Contract Mexican laborers being fumigated with the pesticide DDT in Hidalgo, Texas, in 1956. Source: National Museum of American History [zinnedproject.org]
Torres Starts Bath Riots (1917)Jan 28th, 1917

On this day in 1917, 17 year old maid Carmelita Torres refused a delousing gasoline bath from immigration authorities, sparking what is now known as the "Bath Riots" in which thousands blocked trains and vehicles at the station there.

Image: Contract Mexican laborers being fumigated with the pesticide DDT in Hidalgo, Texas, in 1956. Source: National Museum of American History [zinnedproject.org]