A Day That Shook The World: Start of UK general strike

Tuesday 03 May 2011 00:03 BST

(Hulton Archive/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

On 3 May 1926, the UK was engulfed by its first and (so far) only ever general stike.

Lasting 12 days, it had been called in solidarity with already-striking miners, whose pay had been cut. The strike was eventually broken by a middle class which rallied to perform all the jobs union members would have done, like driving buses and delivering fuel.

Watch original footage from the strike in this British Pathé video, above.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

A Day That Shook The World: Start of UK general strike

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering