East Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Martyrs—Heroes—Unionists

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 17, 2026

1. Martyrs-Heroes-Unionists Marker

Inscription.
In memory of Hilding Anderson • Alfred Causey • Leo Francisco • Earl Handley • Otis Jones • Sam Popovich • Kenneth W. Reed • Anthony Tagliori • Lee Tisdale • Joseph Rothmund

Martyrs—Heroes—Unionists Shot down May 30, 1937, Memorial Day, at the gates of Republic Steel Co. while parading for the right to organize a union, promote industrial democracy and to secure justice and equality for working men and women everywhere.

Original Plaque Erected May 30, 1967 by The United Steelworkers of America Committee to Commemorate the 1937 Memorial Day Massacre.

Rededicated May 2008

Erected 2008.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1937.

Location. 41° 40.973′ N, 87° 32.395′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the East Side. It is at the intersection of South Avenue O and East 117th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Avenue O. This marker is affixed to the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture on the grounds of the Chicago Fire Department

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Engine 104 station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11641 S Avenue O, Chicago IL 60617, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Illinois’ Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Steelworkers Organize in the Southeast Side (here, next to this marker); About the Sculpture (here, next to this marker); National Historic Site Memorial Day Massacre (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Martyrs—Heroes—Unionists (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Illinois-Indiana Boundary Marker (approx. 1.9 miles away); East Side Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Castle #30 - Whiting, IN (approx. 2.1 miles away in Indiana); Whiting Veterans Memorial

Martyrs-Heroes-Unionists Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 17, 2026

2. Martyrs-Heroes-Unionists Marker in context

The marker is the top plaque on the base of the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture.

(approx. 2.4 miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. This marker is a near duplicate of a marker placed in 1967 300 feet (91 meters) to the south along Avenue O.

The sculpture was created by Ed Blazak, a former employee of the Republic Steel company. It was originally sited on the property of Republic Steel near Burley Avenue. The sculpture, with its ten steel pipes, represent the smoke stacks of the ten steel mills within the area. They can also be representative of the slain ten demonstrators. After all of the steel mills along the Calumet River closed, it was moved to its current location in 2008.

Also see . . . 1937 Memorial Day massacre. Wikipedia (Submitted on July 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)

Bottom Plaque on the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 17, 2026

3. Bottom Plaque on the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture Base

In appreciation of those who were instrumental in refurbishing and relocating this memorial

Chicago Firehouse Engine #104
Diamond Coring Company
George Manojlovich
Master Polishing & Buffing
Pete's Fresh Market
Reserve Marine Terminals

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.