“Axe handles and shackles” might seem like strange artifacts. Yet these objects tell a powerful story here at the \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986. This museum stands as a monument to the 二七大罢工 or “February 7th massacre”. It marks a pivotal moment in Chinese labor history.
Welcome to the \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986. It is a place where you can reflect on the spirit of the “February 7th spirit”. Though younger than the 二七机车厂 by many years, the museum holds the memories of struggle for many older workers.
This museum commemorates the 二七大罢工 of 1923. It was a watershed moment for China’s labor movement. The \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 opened its doors on February 7, 1987. The museum’s name was written by Peng Zhen.
The \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 occupies a space of about 6600 square meters. Its building area reaches 2382 square meters. The museum comprises eight exhibition halls. They connect through a traditional courtyard layout.
Inside the \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986, hundreds of artifacts and historical photos await. Most relate to the 京汉铁路 “February 7th” struggle of 1923. See the axes and hammers used by worker inspectors during the strike.
The \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 features hand and foot shackles worn by arrested workers. A clock and tools used by Shi Wenbin are also on display. He was the vice chairman of the 京汉铁路总工会筹备会 or Beijing-Hankou Railway Trade Union Congress.
But there is more than just objects inside the \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986. It is the site of China’s first labor club, the 长辛店工人俱乐部. This club became the source of China’s labor union movement. Mao Zedong himself recognized 长辛店 as the origin of the Chinese labor movement. He said it began at the 长辛店 railway factory.
The 二七 spirit lives on. The \u957f\u8f9b\u5e97\u4e8c\u4e03\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 serves as a powerful reminder. It honors the courage and sacrifice of those workers. Their actions shaped the future of China’s labor rights. Let us remember their legacy as we continue our journey.