Lectures on Tap - "Chicago’s Haymarket Affair: Rallies, Bombs, and Bulls "
Join us for a gripping evening with Dr. John J. Murphy as we delve into the Haymarket Affair, a pivotal moment in American labor history. In May of 1886, amidst a rapidly industrializing Chicago, tensions between workers and employers reached a boiling point. A peaceful rally advocating for the eight-hour workday unexpectedly turned violent when a bomb was thrown, resulting in chaos that reverberated around the world.
In this lecture, Dr. Murphy will unpack the Haymarket Affair as more than just a riot gone wrong. We’ll explore the labor unrest that characterized Gilded Age Chicago, the ideologies driving working-class organizing, and the fears of business leaders and public officials striving to maintain control. We’ll examine the events of that fateful night—the explosion, the subsequent trial, and the controversial executions that sparked national divisions—while considering the enduring legacy of the "martyrs" whose stories continue to resonate.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight into a defining moment for labor rights with Dr. John J. Murphy!
Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌
The Den Theatre and comedy club is pleased to host Lectures on Tap on March 16, 2026 at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
Tickets are currently available at thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
