We're taking a personal interest in Saturday's Haymarket Riot reenactment, and not only because of the combination of historical reenactments, honoring the labor movement and open participation could spell anything goes. The role of Mayor Carter Harrison is set to be played by none other than our own Kevin Robinson. more ›

Want to get symbolically involved with the union battles in Wisconsin and Indiana, but don't want to leave Chicago proper? Wish you had some historical context to complement the labor struggles of today? Ever wondered what that whole "Haymarket Riot" thing was all about (not the band, btw)? Or, maybe you just wanted to indulge that steampunk curiosity you've been harboring. Either way, it appears that Haymarket Square will be the place to be on April 30th. more ›

We've had our fill of bagpipes for the year. Let's double down on the dissonance with some Haymarket Riot to close out the week, shall we? more ›

Since today is International Workers' Day, a day meant to commemorate the Haymarket Massacre that took place in Chicago in 1886, we thought a brief look at the tragic event important to the labor movement around the globe was in order. more ›

Chicagoist would have liked to have been a fly on the wall at this particular auction: In a heated bidding war that ended late Wednesday, Ripley's (of "Believe It or Not!" fame) sniped our own Chicago History Museum at the last second. The coveted item? A warped, weather-beaten 119-year-old gallows. Not just any gallows, however ... The five-noose set was built specifically for four of the convicts from the Haymarket Riot of 1886. After that... more ›

How would you like to have an authentic gallows to call your own? The current owner of the old Cook County gallows, Mike Donley of Donley's Wild West Town in northwest-suburban Union, is selling the platform, scaffolding, and hanging beams that helped execute 86 inmates between 1887 and 1927. Donley originally bought the gallows in 1977 when he owned a museum of Chicago artifacts, but lately he has been using them as a prop in... more ›

We usually think of May Day as pretty girls dancing around maypoles, but much of the world celebrates May 1st as International Workers’ Day, commemorating the Haymarket Riot of 1886. more ›

God damn tomorrow cannot come fast enough. Pre-election anxiety + post-Halloween hangover + drizzly Monday = craptacular, any way you slice it. If it were up to us, today would be national Cuddle on the Couch in Pajamas and Watch TV Day, but alas, the party wheels keep on turning. Tonight and tomorrow, there's plenty election action to keep you busy. Here are a few to get you started: more ›

The Sun-Times is in fine form today despite an absolutely idiotic front-page headline "Are sisters angels or killers?" Sure, yes, that story is interesting, but the question isn't marathon yesterday. The story itself is worth reading on the off chance you didn't get enough of the case in July, when the girls were actually on trial. more ›