Today in Labor History November 21, 1831: Silk workers went on strike in Lyon, France. However, when the National Guard killed several workers, the entire city soon rose up in an insurrection known as the First Canut Revolt. Workers captured the police barracks and stole the weapons. They set up barricades and hoisted the black flag. The military guard attempted to stop them, but had to retreat under a hail of bullets. National Guardsmen switched sides and joined the rebels. After a bloody battle with the military guard, in which over 170 died, the rebels captured the town. However, the authorities ultimately subdued the uprising when a much larger military force was sent in from Paris.

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