Everett Massacre Centennial

This video introduces the basics of what is commonly believed happened on November 5, 1916 and invites the community to join the Everett Public Library for a series of free programs to explore the topic.

Everett Public Library presented a series of programs on the centennial year of the Everett Massacre events. We focused less on the catastrophic events of November 5, and more on the context and background that led up to and followed these events.

Speakers

Our speakers, of regional and state repute, examined the Everett of 1916, focusing on aims and actions of the key players of the drama: The Everett mill owners, small businessmen, the shingleweavers, the Wobblies, the clergy...the frictions building and slipping against each other until one spark could ignite the catastrophic event of 11.5.16.

Our goal was to entertain as well as inform you with the best presenters for their piece of the story. 

  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
  3. Day 3
  4. Day 4
  5. Day 5
  6. Day 6
  • Event Date:
    Saturday, October 15, 2016
    1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Location:
    Main Library
    Auditorium
  • Audience:
    Adults

Events


The library opened its series commemorating the events surrounding the Everett Massacre, which occurred on November 5, 1916. Other programs appeared on Saturday, October 22; Sunday, October 30; Saturday, November 5; and Sunday, November 6.

Background


The Massacre was a confrontation between deputized citizens under orders from local mill owners, and members of the Industrial Workers of the World, a radical labor union bent on "fanning the flames of discontent" in Everett. The confrontation provoked gun play that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries at the Everett waterfront.

Speakers


Everett Community College History Professor Jason Ripper focused on the Everett of 1916, whose economy, society, and politics were far different from what we know in 2016.

And, Fred Bird of the Labor Press Project at the University of Washington compared coverage of massacre-related events in the local mainstream and radical press.