Interesting Things with JC #020: "The Peterloo Massacre of 1819" - The Peterloo Massacre was a tragic event in 1819 at St. Peter's Field, Manchester. A peaceful rally for parliamentary reform ended violently when cavalry charged into the crowd, causing 18 deaths and hundreds of injuries. This shocking event highlighted the need for political change and spurred the reform movement that reshaped the UK's electoral system.