Events marking 100 years since the 1926 General Strike
These events offer opportunities to learn more about the history of the strike, reflect on its legacy, and explore what it means for working people today.
Below are some of the events taking place during the centenary year.
On The Line: 100 years of solidarity and strikes
21 March – 2 November 2026
A major exhibition marking the centenary of the General Strike. The exhibition explores the history of solidarity, strike action and the struggles of working people, drawing connections between historic disputes and modern movements.
Location: People’s History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER More information
Nine Days in '26
27 March 2026 | 18:30 — 21:00
A rare screening of Nine Days in ’26, a documentary by Robert Vas about the 1926 General Strike. The film combines archive footage with testimonies from people who experienced the strike, offering a powerful perspective on the events of May 1926.
The event includes an introduction by John Wyver, Professor of the Arts on Screen at the University of Westminster.
Location: Birkbeck 43 Gordon Square More information
Remembering the General Strike, 100 years on
29 April 2026
A hybrid event bringing together historians and researchers to reflect on the significance of the 1926 General Strike and its impact on British political and labour history. Panellists: Jonathan Schneer, Jon Cruddas, Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite, Paul Nowak. James Moher will chair.
Location: Hybrid event – Online and Room 349, Third Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU More information
Hackney during the 1926 general strike WALK
3 May 2026 | 2pm – 3pm
Hackney saw some of the most notable events. Come to see the sites of these struggles, learn abut the role of women and workers from migrant backgrounds, discuss how the state reacted - and sing an anthem of resistance from the time!
Meet outside Macdonalds on Narrow Way
Location: Macdonalds, Narrow Way, E8 1HY More information
London May Day 2026
4 May 2026 | 12pm – 3pm
Join trade unionists, campaigners and activists at this year’s London May Day event, marking international workers’ day and reflecting on the legacy of the General Strike 100 years on.
Location: Marx Memorial Library, London EC1R 0DU More information
General Strike Exploration Day – Call for Papers
9 May 2026
The Society for the Study of Labour History (SSLH) is hosting a special exploration day marking the centenary of the strike. Scholars and researchers are invited to present new research and perspectives on the events of 1926 and their wider historical significance.
Location: People’s History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER More information
The 1926 General Strike and its significance in 2026
9 May 2026 | 10am – 4pm
A day of talks and discussion exploring the history of the General Strike and what it means in today’s world of work. The event will bring together speakers and participants interested in labour history, trade unions and social movements.
Location: Marx Memorial Library, London EC1R 0DU More information
“Not a thing was moving”: the 1926 General Strike in Hackney and beyond
9 May 2026 | 4pm - 5pm
How was the Strike supported in Hackney? How did workers organise, and how did the local authorities respond? Hear exciting tales of militant battles to stop trams in Mare Street, pickets at factories in Well Street, scabs keeping electricity running, mass meetings, and the army occupying Victoria Park. A talk by Alex Hodson of the Radical History Faction.
Location: Hackney Archives, E8 3BQ More information
The 1926 General Strike: Archival Perspectives
13 May 2026 | 1pm - 2pm | ONLINE EVENT
Join London Metropolitan University’s Special Collections team online for an introduction to the archive material we hold about the General Strike.
The team will each present ONE selected item from the collection and explain their reasons for choosing it. Materials include first-hand accounts in handwritten letters, photographs capturing events as they unfolded, personal recollections from oral history recordings, and contemporary media coverage in press cuttings. The session will also consider how different participants in the strike were represented, including the experiences of women workers.
The General Strike 100 years on: in conversation with John Monks and Jonathan Schneer
14 May 2026 | 6.30pm – 8pm
Join former TUC general secretary John Monks and US academic and author Jonathan Schneer to discuss the legacy and lessons of the 1926 General Strike.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Ben Louvre at blouvre@tuc.org.uk
Location: TUC, Congress House, London, WC1B 3LS
Remembering the General Strike 1926
21 May 2026 | 4pm - 6pm
Visit the archives related to the General Strike 1926 in the LSE Library collection and hear from the former Librarian of the Trades Union Congress, Chris Coates.
Chris will discuss the factors leading up to the Strike, its effectiveness, and its impact on working people.
Location: LSE Library, London WC2A 2HD More information
Full list of events
For more events across the country visit https://generalstrike100.com
