Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology

Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.

Compiled by Ulli Diemer

February 28, 1837
The demands of the Chartist movement are set out at a large public meeting at the Crown and Anchor public house in London. The goals of the movement are increased democratization of the political system, which restricts political rights to a small elite. Demands include a vote for every man over 21, a secret ballot, no property qualifications for members of Parliament, payment for MPs (so the poor could serve), and constituencies of equal size. Quote: “I have been present at all sorts of political meetings.... but never was it my good fortune to witness so brilliant a display of democracy as that which shone forth at the Crown and Anchor on Tuesday night. I often despaired of Radicalism before; I will never despair again after what I witnessed on that occasion.... Four thousand democrats, at least, were at the meeting. The immense room of the Crown and Anchor was crowded to overflowing, several hundreds stood outside on the corridor and stairs or went away for want of accommodation.” – London Mercury, 4 March 1837 Further Reading: Chartist Ancestors Related Topics: Chartists – Democratic Movements – Democratization – Property Rights vs. Democracy – Voting Rights (Suffrage)
February 28, 1901
Birth of Linus Pauling, American chemist, peace activist, and winner of two Nobel Prizes.
February 28, 1906
Publication of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, a ‘muckraking’ novel centered on the meatpacking industry, depicting the relationship of poverty and power. First published in serial form in a socialist newspaper, Appeal to Reason, the book has been continuously in print since 1906. Related Topics: Meat Packing Industry
February 28 - March 19, 1921
The Kronstadt rebellion: An uprising of Soviet sailors, soldiers and civilians against the Bolshevik government. The demands of the rebels include immediate new elections to the soviets, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the liberation of socialist and working-class political prisoners. The rebellion is crushed by troops under the command of the Bolshevik government. Further Reading: Ida Mett: The Kronstadt Uprising 1921 Related Topics: Kronstadt – Rebellions – Soviet History
February 28 - March 31, 1924
American forces intervene in Honduras to ‘protect American interests’. Related Topics: Honduras – Intervention – U.S. Imperialism
February 28, 1928
Birth of Michael Harrington, American social democrat.