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Haymarket Martyrs' Monument: A Labor History Landmark

Visit the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument in Forest Park, a National Historic Landmark commemorating the Haymarket Affair and the fight for workers' rights.

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The Haymarket Martyrs' Monument in Forest Park, Illinois, commemorates the labor activists blamed and executed for the Haymarket Affair bombing in 1886. Dedicated in 1893, this monument stands as a reminder of the struggle for workers' rights and the sacrifices made during the labor movement.

A brief summary to Haymarket Martyrs' Monument

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours, as the Forest Home Cemetery is open from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Consider taking a guided tour with the Illinois Labor History Society to learn more about the Haymarket Affair and the monument.
  • Pay your respects to other labor activists and leaders buried nearby.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The Haymarket Martyrs' Monument is accessible via the CTA Blue Line. Take the Blue Line to the Forest Park station. From the station, the cemetery is about a half-mile away. Upon exiting the station, head south on Des Plaines Avenue to find the Forest Home Cemetery. A single ride on the CTA Blue Line costs $2.50.

  • Walking

    From the Forest Park Blue Line station, the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument is approximately a half-mile walk. Exit the station and proceed south on Des Plaines Avenue. The Forest Home Cemetery, where the monument is located, will be on your left.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Forest Park. A taxi ride from the Forest Park Blue Line station to the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument at Forest Home Cemetery will cost approximately $12, depending on traffic and surge pricing. Uber rates in Chicago start at $1.70, plus $0.95 per mile and $0.20 per minute.

  • Driving

    If driving, navigate to 863 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130, the address of Forest Home Cemetery. Limited parking is available behind the cemetery office. Metered street parking may also be available on Des Plaines Avenue. Parking at the Forest Park Blue Line station is available for $6.00 for 12 hours.

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Discover more about Haymarket Martyrs' Monument

Located in Forest Home Cemetery, the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument serves as a poignant reminder of the Haymarket Affair, a key event in American labor history. Dedicated on June 25, 1893, the monument honors the individuals who were tried and executed in connection with the 1886 Haymarket bombing. The monument, sculpted by Albert Weinert, features a 16-foot-high granite shaft topped with a carved triangular stone. A bronze figure of a woman, representing Justice, stands guard over a fallen worker, placing a laurel wreath on his head. The monument also bears a quote attributed to August Spies: "The day will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you are throttling today". The names of the executed men are inscribed on the back, along with the text of the pardon issued by Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld. The Haymarket Affair was a catalyst for the eight-hour workday movement and International Labor Day. The monument has been a site for annual commemorations and continues to be a place of reflection on workers' rights and social justice. The Illinois Labor History Society maintains the monument and offers guided tours. Forest Home Cemetery is open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

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