Lentorama 2022: It Happened on Easter

Day 39: On the march

The Panic of 1893 caused an economic depression in the US that lasted for four years, and was the most significant economic downturn (non-Civil War division) experienced by Americans in their lifetimes. This led people to some drastic measures, such as the decision by Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey to lead a march to Washington, DC, to demand the government intervene by creating jobs and putting more money into the economy.

Coxey and about 100 other men left Massillon, Ohio on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1894. Other marchers met up with Coxey (now leading what became popularly known as Coxey's Army), and about 6000 men made an encampment just outside of the capital. The day after making camp, Coxey and some of the other march leaders were arrested for walking on the grass at the Capitol building. Not long after that the marchers lost interest and the protest largely broke up.

While it wasn't successful, Coxey's march is notable for being the first planned protest march on Washington. It also saw one of its main goals, a government works program to provide jobs during a depression, adopted for the New Deal.