Manchester is gearing up for the two-hundredth anniversary of the 'Peterloo Massacre' on August 16. This article by John Harris from the Guardian (itself birthed from the massacre) explains some of the significance, not just at the time, but for today. Like colonial slavery, this event has also been neglected in school history lessons, and also carries forward a massive legacy, both for Manchester and for the working classes in Britain. EP Thompson in his classic The Making of the English Working Class wrote of Peterloo that it, “was without question a formative experience in British political and social history.” Harris comments: "Thompson saw 1819’s carnage originating in 'the panic of class hatred' and an ingrained belief that any working class crowd was always only a breath away from turning into the mob – something that has regularly surfaced long into the democratic age: witness Orgreave or Hillsborough." Read the full article here.
Many events and activities are being organised to celebrate or commemorate (depending on your point of view) Peterloo. These will include a special service at Manchester Cathedral at 2pm on Sunday July 7 (more details to follow soon). This website will be a good starting point to keep track of what will be happening over the summer.
Many events and activities are being organised to celebrate or commemorate (depending on your point of view) Peterloo. These will include a special service at Manchester Cathedral at 2pm on Sunday July 7 (more details to follow soon). This website will be a good starting point to keep track of what will be happening over the summer.
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