Peterloo 2019 to mark 200 years since Peterloo Massacre

Peterloo 2019 to mark 200 years since Peterloo Massacre

An image of Manchester Heroes, George Cruikshank, September 1819
An image of the massacre by George Cruikshank, September 1819 People's History Museum
The bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre in Greater Manchester is to be commemorated, thanks to National Lottery players.

Manchester Histories and People’s History Museum have secured £181,900 in HLF support towards Peterloo 2019, an exciting programme commemorating the Peterloo Massacre.

The massacre was a watershed moment that marked Manchester out as a radical city like no other and became a defining moment for Britain’s democracy.

[quote]“Local government forces charged into the crowd on horseback injuring 700 and killing 18 men, women and children.”[/quote]

On Monday 16 August 1819, a 60,000-strong crowd met at St Peter’s Field in Central Manchester from as far afield as Wigan, Rochdale and Saddleworth to call for parliamentary representation. Shortly after the meeting began and while orator Henry Hunt was speaking, local government forces charged into the crowd on horseback injuring 700 and killing 18 men, women and children.

A pivotal moment in the fight for universal suffrage

This story is soon to be told by writer and director Mike Leigh in his new film Peterloo, which premieres in the UK on Wednesday 17 October 2018. Nationwide release starts from Friday 2 November 2018.

The Peterloo 2019 project will see a year-long programme of public events, learning, creative exploration and community projects. Led by the themes of protest, democracy and freedom of speech, the programme will enable people of all ages from across Greater Manchester and beyond to get involved.

A radical city

The project will feature the largest-ever Manchester Histories Festival, film-making and animation projects for young people, new learning resources and lesson plans to be developed in partnership with Historic England. A cohort of Peterloo Ambassadors will be trained to help share the story of Peterloo and the people who helped define Manchester as a radical city of thought and progression. The specially designed Peterloo 1819 website will bring news and stories to a global audience.

[quote=Nathan Lee, Head of HLF North West]“The Peterloo Massacre is perhaps the most important moment in the history of democracy and the fight for universal suffrage.”[/quote]

Other key activities include a permanent public memorial by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller to be unveiled at the end of October. There will also be a partnership with The Guardian newspaper – founded in Manchester following the massacre - to promote a series of special events.

Nathan Lee, Head of HLF North West, said: “The Peterloo Massacre is perhaps the most important moment in the history of democracy and the fight for universal suffrage. The events that took place on St Peter’s Field in Manchester in August 1819 still shock us today, and it is thanks to National Lottery players that Manchester Histories will now be able to ensure that people can engage with, learn about and remember this pivotal moment in our history.”

Manchester Histories and People’s History Museum will work in partnership with Manchester City Council, Historic England, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University as well as a host of other partners and individuals across Greater Manchester to deliver the Peterloo 2019 project.

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