12 May 1856: Grand Celebrations At The First Achievement Of The Eight Hour Day In Victoria

12 May 1856: Grand Celebrations At The First Achievement Of The Eight Hour Day In Victoria

A printed flyer advertising the 12 May 1856 Eight Hours Procession.

This handbill commemorates the first Eight Hours Procession, celebrated just weeks after Victorian stonemasons, for the first time in world history, established an eight-hour day. Extravagant entertainments and a banquet dinner entertained over 1200 marchers, and brought the Eight Hours Movement squarely into the public view. As the union movement grew from this point, soon calls began to rise for a Trades Hall to house them.

The Eight Hours Movement

Carlotta Kellaway, 'Melbourne Trades Hall Lygon Street Carlton,' September 1988.

12/5/1856

Nathaniel Cutter

PNG

English

Ar 725.099451 KELL, University of Melbourne Bailleu Library