Striker's Independent Society
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The Strikers Independent Society (S. I. S.) was founded in 1843 and was one of the societies in Mobile, Alabama that participated in Carnival during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations.[1] It is the oldest remaining mystic society in America.
Young men in Mobile who had been refused membership in the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, which had been formed in 1830 by "more sedate and astute men of the city" make up the membership.[1] In the beginning it was a bachelor only society and if a member married, they are out of the society.[1] The Strikers, like the Cowbellions, parade on New Years Eve and have their ball on New Year's Day.[1]
In 1852, they are the first mystic society to hold a ball at the Battle House Hotel.[1] By 1881, they had discontinued their street parades, but continued to hold a grand ball on New Year's Eve, though in 1884 they paraded once more.[1]
In 1902, their theme was "Colonial Mobile" celebrating the bicentennial of Mobile's founding. Members wear costumes representing the French, British, Spanish, and American periods of history.[1]
