Joe Hill was born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund on October 7, 1879, in Gävle, Sweden. After the death of his father, Hill left school at a young age to support his family, working in various jobs including a rope factory and at the local port. In 1902, following his mother's death, Hill immigrated to the United States with his brother Paul, seeking better opportunities. He adopted the name Joseph Hillström, later becoming known as Joe Hill.

Hill traveled across the U.S., taking on various labor-intensive jobs and witnessing firsthand the harsh conditions faced by workers. These experiences led him to join the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1910, a radical labor union advocating for workers' rights. Hill became a prominent figure within the IWW, using his talents as a songwriter and cartoonist to create compelling labor songs that highlighted workers' struggles and called for solidarity. Notable songs include "The Preacher and the Slave," where he coined the phrase "pie in the sky," "The Tramp," "There Is Power in a Union," "The Rebel Girl," and "Casey Jones—the Union Scab."

On January 10, 1914, John G. Morrison, a Salt Lake City grocer and former police officer, and his son Arling were shot and killed in their store by two masked men. That same evening, Joe Hill sought medical attention for a gunshot wound, claiming he had been shot during a dispute over a woman but refused to provide further details.

Hill's refusal to elaborate on his injury and the timing of his wound led authorities to suspect him in the Morrison murders. Despite the lack of concrete evidence linking him to the crime, Hill was arrested and charged with the murders. His trial was marked by circumstantial evidence and his own silence regarding his alibi. Many believed that Hill's association with the IWW and his prominence as a labor activist influenced the proceedings.

Hill was convicted on June 27, 1914, and sentenced to death. His case garnered international attention, with appeals for clemency from figures such as President Woodrow Wilson and the Swedish ambassador. Despite these efforts, Utah Governor William Spry upheld the execution.

On November 19, 1915, Joe Hill was executed by firing squad at Utah's Sugar House Prison. His final message to IWW leader Bill Haywood was, "Don't waste any time mourning. Organize!"