The People’s History Museum in Manchester is hosting a special open day to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike on the 9 May 2026.

The event will delve into the strike’s continuing significance and legacy. Academics, activists, trade unionists, and heritage professionals will explore the 1926 General Strike through a range of papers and panels, and highlight rare archival material.

The event is supported by the Society for the Study of Labour History and the result of a collaboration between the John Rylands Library, the National Co-operative Archive, the People’s History Museum, and the Working Class Movement Library.

Programme for the day:

10.15am – 10.30am: Complimentary tea and coffee

10.30am – 10.35am: Welcome – Jenny Mabbott, People’s History Museum

10.35am – 11.15am: Keynote: Nine Days in May: The General Strike of 1926 – Dr Jonathan Schneer

11.15am – 12.15pm: Exploring the General Strike: Chair – Janette Martin, John Rylands Library

• Why do we call the General Strike a General Strike? – Professor Kevin Morgan
• Revolution, spies and fascist strikebreakers: The General Strike of 1926 – Dr Oliver Price
• The General Strike in Cumberland and Westmorland – Dr Joe Rigby

12.15pm – 1.15pm: Lunch break and exploration

• Discover General Strike materials from the collections of John Rylands Library, the National Co-operative Archive, PHM, and WCML
• Explore PHM’s new exhibition On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity [10.00am to 5.00pm]

1.15pm – 2.15pm: Women and the General Strike: Chair – Ali Ronan, Trailblazers! Women of Greater Manchester

• ‘Abasing herself and her class’: Susan Lawrence and General Strike – Richard Temple
• ‘Red Ellen’ and the Plebs: Interpreting the General Strike – Professor Mike Sanders
• ‘Duty’ and ‘Service’ in a ‘National Emergency’: Ex-Servicewomen and the General Strike, 1926 – Dr Jane Clarke

2.15pm – 3.00pm: Rowntree, the Co-op and the General Strike: Chair – Jane Donaldson, National Co-operative Archive

• The General Strike at Rowntree & Co – Nick Smith
• The Co-op and the general strike: a crisis for co-operation? – Professor Tony Taylor

3.00pm – 3.15pm: Tea and coffee break and exploration

• Discover General Strike materials from the collections of John Rylands Library, the National Co-operative Archive, People’s History Museum, and Working Class Movement Library
• View the Trailblazers! Women of Greater Manchester banner

3.15pm – 4.15pm: What is the legacy of the 1926 General Strike?

• Chair – Belinda Scarlett, Working Class Movement Library
• Panellists – Dr Jonathan Schneer, Professor Chris Godden, and Michael Agboh-Davison

For further information and to book your place, please click here