In the late nineteenth century matches were made using sticks of poplar or Canadian pine wood, twice the length of the finished product. These were secured into frames holding approximately 4,000. Both ends of the sticks w… See more

The working conditions in the match factory had caused great discontent: up to fourteen-hour workdays, poor pay (made far worse in 1888 by a poor harvest which caused hours to be drastically reduced), unjust fines… See more

Following the strike's success, the Union of Women Matchmakers (later the Matchmakers' Union) was formed later in 1888. On its creation, it was the largest union of women and girls in the country, and inspire… See more

In 1966 the British actor Bill Owen collaborated with songwriter Tony Russell to create a musical about the strike, named The Matchgirls. The strike was next featured in an episode in the second series of the … See more