There was a time in America when the press was so threatening to the government that two newspaper editors were among those executed over the 1886 Haymarket Affair. You'll probably recall the general outline of the events: Chicago workers, demonstrating in Haymarket Square in support of the 8-hour day, were ordered to disperse by police; someone threw a bomb, and in the ensuing exchange of gunfire both police and protesters were killed and injured. While the bomb-thrower was never identified, hundreds were arrested, and the trial that followed ended with seven people — including two newspaper editors who had been speakers at the event — sentenced to be hanged.

Now, granted, these editors, August Spies and Albert Parsons, were not objective journalists. They were clearly outspoken advocates for workers, who printed radical ideas. And there is no question that they were deeply involved in the events during that day in Haymarket Square. But were they guilty of capital crimes?

On May Day, as you take time to celebrate Beltane or the birthday of Taliesin, remember Captain Ludd (mp3), join International Workers Day or the Occupy General Strike, you might pause to remember Spies, Parsons, Adolph Fischer and George Engel who were executed, Louis Lingg who committee suicide, Samuel Fielden and Michael Schwab whose sentences were commuted to life, and Oscar Neebe who had been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Learn more at the Chicago Historical Society's "Haymarket Affair Digital Collection."

Editorial note: It is one of the unique pleasures of the work-at-home dad that I get to drive Jack to school in the morning, which gives me the opportunity for little 15-minute lesson plans. You're reading today's. :)