Government troops fired on a peaceful demonstration of workers claiming "C'est les huit heures qu'il nous faut !"

(it's the eight-hour day we need), killing nine people and injuring 35 others.

[2] In 1891, it had 37 silk and wool mills, and 15 000 people, in majority factory workers.

[3] Starting in 1885, the textile industry in the Nord began to experience difficulties.

[3] These difficulties had direct repercussions on workers, with unemployment and salary reductions when food and lodging expenses were rising.