Peterloo Massacre

The Peterloo Massacre occurred on August 16, 1819, in Manchester, England, when a peaceful rally for political reform and better representation was violently suppressed by cavalry. Approximately 60,000 people gathered at St. Peter's Field to demand voting rights and improved working conditions. The crowd was charged by troops, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people and injuries to hundreds more. This tragic event highlighted the struggles for democracy and workers' rights in the early 19th century and galvanized public support for political reform, ultimately contributing to changes in British electoral laws.