Today in Labor History November 11, 1647: The first American compulsory school law was passed in Massachusetts.
November 11, 1831: American slave rebellion leader Nat Turner was hanged, Jerusalem, Virginia. Three months prior, Turner had led a bloody slave revolt. He started with the execution of his owner Joseph Travis and his family. Within the next 24 hours, Turner and an estimated 70 followers. They went on a rampage through Southampton County, Virginia, killing nearly 60 whites, while trying to encourage other slaves into revolt. Federal troops and militias were called in. They ultimately suppressed the revolt. The hanged over 100 African Americans, including many who did not participate in the revolt.
Today in Labor History November 11, 1887: Four of the Haymarket Martyrs, including Albert Parsons and August Spies, were executed. Louis Lingg, who was also scheduled to be executed on this date, cheated the state by killing himself in his cell. There was no evidence linking any of the men to the Haymarket bombing that had occurred earlier in the year.
November 11, 1918: World War I ended, with 10 million dead, 21 million wounded, 7.5 million prisoners and missing in action, and another 22 million killed by the influenza pandemic that was exacerbated by the war. Originally celebrated as Armistice Day, November 11 is now known as Veterans Day.
Today in Labor History November 11, 1919: Armed “patriots” from the American Legion attacked and destroyed the IWW labor hall in Centralia, Washington, killing five. They then kidnapped, tortured, castrated and lynched Wesley Everest, a WWI veteran and an IWW organizer.