On this day in 1887, thousands of marchers protesting unemployment and state repression clashed with the Metropolitan Police and British Army in Trafalgar Square, Central London. In the aftermath, approximately four hundred people were arrested and seventy-five were badly injured, including many police officers. The event is known as "Bloody Sunday".

The demonstration was organized by the Social Democratic Federation, Britain's first formally socialist party, and the Irish National League, an Irish nationalist organization.

On November 13th, 1887, at least 10,000 protesters marched in to Trafalgar Square from several different directions, led by leaders of the Social Democratic Federation. Members of the Fabian Society were also present, including playwright George Bernard Shaw and Eleanor Marx.

2,000 police and 400 troops were deployed to halt the demonstration and protesters, many armed with "iron bars, knives, pokers and gas pipes", fought back. John Burns and Robert Cunninghame-Graham, Social Democratic Federation leaders, were arrested and imprisoned for six weeks. The following Sunday, there was another demonstration and more casualties.