Today in Labor History December 16, 1811: The first two in a series of 4 severe earthquakes happened in the vicinity of New Madrid, Missouri. The quakes ranged from 7.2-8.4 in magnitude. Because the area was sparsely populated, it is thought that there were few deaths. However, they were so powerful, they could be felt in an area of 50,000 square miles. (The 1906 San Francisco quake was only felt in an area of 6,200 square miles. The quake made a portion of the Mississippi river change course and caused the Liberty Bell to clang in Philadelphia.
December 16, 1912: The French CGT union launched a General strike against the War To End All Wars.
Today in Labor History December 16, 1942: Schutzstaffel chief Heinrich Himmler ordered that Roma people be sent to Auschwitz for extermination.
December 16, 1970: The Polish government pacified coastal cities where workers had rebelled against high prices, by shooting shipyard workers, killing between 50 and 150, including soldiers who refused to shoot people).
Today in Labor History December 16, 1977: Eight women in Willmar, Minnesota, launched the first bank workers strike in U.S. history. They were protesting sexual discrimination like unequal pay and treatment. They picketed outside the bank when the wind chill was -70 F (-57 C)
December 16, 1989: Protests broke out in Timișoara, Romania, leading to a revolution that ousted the Communists and led to the execution of Ceausescu. Up to 1,300 people died in the protests.