Seattle Marks 107th Anniversary of Historic General Strike

Lessons from the 1919 work stoppage as new nationwide protests continue

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Today marks the 107th anniversary of the 1919 Seattle General Strike, a five-day work stoppage that saw 20% of the city's population take to the streets to protest low wages and union-busting by wealthy corporations. While the 1919 strike ultimately fizzled out, recent nationwide general strikes have clearer demands, such as removing ICE from communities and defunding the agency. As one union leader said, 'There can be no more 'business as usual' when the federal government turns on its own people.'

Why it matters

The 1919 Seattle General Strike was a landmark moment in labor history, demonstrating the power of workers to shut down an entire city. As new nationwide protests continue, the lessons of 1919 are relevant in understanding how to sustain momentum and achieve concrete policy changes.

The details

The 1919 Seattle General Strike began in the union shipyards after shipyard owners, flush with World War I profits, offered pay increases only to 'skilled' workers in an attempt to divide the union. A citywide poll found the strike was very popular, and 65,000 of Seattle's 315,000 residents (20%) hit the streets. During the work stoppage, Seattleites took care of the city and one another, collecting garbage and opening food halls. But the strike was ultimately unsustainable, as strikers lost faith and began to break off, allowing the mayor to crush the protest with federal troops.

  • The 1919 Seattle General Strike began on February 6, 1919.
  • The strike lasted for five days, ending on February 11, 1919.

The players

Ole Hanson

The mayor of Seattle during the 1919 general strike, who quickly deputized thousands of 'bootlickers' into the police force and called in federal troops from Camp Lewis in an attempt to crush the protest. He was later labeled a 'hero' by the national press, resigned shortly after, and lost all his money in the Great Depression.

Faye Gunther

The president of UFCW 3000, who recently commented on the current nationwide general strikes, saying 'There can be no more 'business as usual' when the federal government turns on its own people.'

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What they’re saying

“There can be no more 'business as usual' when the federal government turns on its own people.”

— Faye Gunther, President of UFCW 3000 (KUOW)

What’s next

The recent nationwide general strikes have clearer demands, such as removing ICE from communities and defunding the agency. Activists and organizers will need to sustain the momentum of these protests and continue pushing for concrete policy changes.

The takeaway

The 1919 Seattle General Strike demonstrated the power of workers to shut down an entire city, but ultimately fizzled out due to a lack of clear demands. The lessons of 1919 are relevant today as new nationwide protests continue, showing that sustained momentum and specific policy goals are key to achieving meaningful change.