The Peterloo Massacre (or Battle of Peterloo) occurred at St Peter's Field, Manchester, England, when cavalry charged into a crowd of 60,000–80,000 that had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation. Cavalry charged into the crowd with sabres drawn, and in the ensuing confusion, 15 people were killed and 400–700 were injured. The massacre was given the name Peterloo in an ironic comparison to the Battle of Waterloo, which had taken place four years earlier. The Peterloo Massacre is called one of the defining moments of its age. It also led directly to the foundation of The Manchester Guardian (now The Guardian), but had little other effect on the pace of reform.
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