The Washington Navy Yard labor strike of 1835 is considered the first strike of federal civilian employees. The strike began on Wednesday July 31, 1835, and ended August 15, 1835. The strike was in support of the movement advocating a ten-hour work day and for a redress of grievances such as newly imposed lunch-hour regulations. The strike failed in its objectives for two reasons, the secretary of the Navy refused to change the shipyard working hours and the loss of public support due to involvement of large numbers of mechanics and laborers in the race riot popularly known as the Snow Riot or Snow Storm.