In October 1936, Oswald Mosley's fascist Blackshirts attempted to march through a mainly Jewish area of East London.

Between 300-500,000 anti-fascist residents gathered to block the fascists. Originally the Blackshirts intended to march through Commercial Road, but found an overturned tram blocked the way. They attempted to outflank the protesters and march through Cable Street.

Over 6,000 police on foot along with all of London's mounted police force repeatedly attempted to clear a way for the fascists to march through. Residents barricaded the streets with whatever was available, paving stones were torn up and mattresses thrown out of windows. People threw marbles on the road to stop police horses.

After the Battle of Cable Street, parliament passed the Public Order Act, banning political uniforms such as those worn by the Blackshirts being worn on political marches. The Battle was an important moment in stopping the rise of fascism in Britain in the 1930s.