1840s
Today in Labor History September 13, 1843: The Greek Army rebelled against the autocratic rule of king Otto, demanding the granting of a constitution. Large sections of the population supported the uprising. Veterans of the Greek War of Independence led the rebellion. They demanded a new constitution and the departure of the Bavarian officials that dominated the government. They succeeded, leading to an era of constitutional monarchy and universal suffrage in Greece.
Today in Labor History September 13, 1848: Vermont railroad worker Phineas Gage survived an accident in which an iron rod was driven through his brain. The accident caused dramatic changes in his behavior and personality. This stimulated discussion and renewed research into the nature of the brain and its functions. His accident was likely the first case to suggest the brain’s role in determining personality. Gage only lived for 12 more years after the accident. However, a report on his physical and mental condition shortly before his death suggests that the most serious changes to his cognition and personality were temporary.
1900s
Today in Labor History September 13, 1900: Filipino insurgents defeated an American column in the Battle of Pulang Lupa, during the Philippine–American War. Captain Devereux Shields led a 54 Infantrymen into the mountains of Torrijos to combat the clever Abad and his guerrillas. Local guerrillas informed Abad of Shields’ movements. In response, he assembled a force of 180-250 regular Filipino soldiers and 1,000-2,000 bolomen. The regular Philippine soldiers were well armed with bolos, pistols, and Spanish Mausers. The bolomen only had machetes. They dressed as farmers by day and ambushed the Americans by night. Shields’ defeat was one of the worst defeats for the Americans during the war. It was especially significant given the upcoming election between the hawkish President William McKinley and his anti-imperialist opponent William Jennings Bryan.
1910s
Today in Writing History September 13, 1916: Roald Dahl, British novelist, poet, and screenwriter was born.
1930s-1970s
Today in Labor History September 13, 1934: 3 workers died during a strike in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, fighting for a minimum wage for textile workers. Over the course of September, more than 420,000 workers joined the strike. Thus, it was one of the largest strikes to date in the U.S. There were also massive textile strikes that year in Gastonia, North Carolina, led by the communist NTWU, and in Tennessee.
Today in Labor History September 13, 1971: 1,000 National Guardsmen, State Troopers and local cops stormed Attica Prison in New York, after a breakdown in negotiations between officials and prisoners. Governor Rockefeller ordered the attack, which resulted in the deaths of 34 inmates and 9 hostages.