On May 1, 1886 over 7,000 building-trades members joined with 5,000 Polish workers who had organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to strike against their employers demanding eight hour days. By Monday, the number of people increased to over 14,000 workers that gathered at Milwaukee Iron Company rolling mills in Bay View. They were met by 250 National Guardsmen under order to "shoot to kill" any strikers who attempted to enter. Workers camped in the nearby fields and the Kosciuszko Militia arrived by May 4. Early the next day the crowd, which contained children, approached the mill and were fired upon. Seven people died as a result, including a thirteen year old boy. Several more people were injured during the protest.
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