Labor History

Today in Labor History February 2, 1438: The authorities executed nine leaders of the Transylvanian Peasant Revolt. The uprising began in 1437 in the eastern territories of the Kingdom of Hungary. The revolt broke out after the bishop of Transylvania tried to collect years’ worth of tithes all at once. The peasants were already furious […]

Today in Labor History February 1, 1835: Mauritius abolished slavery. 1860s Today in Labor History February 1, 1864: The Collar Laundry Union formed in Troy, New York. The Collar Union was the first all-female labor union in the U.S. Women typically worked 12-14 hours per day under dangerous conditions. Led by Kate Mullany, the union

Today in Labor History January 31, 1606: Guy Fawkes jumped to his death moments before his execution for treason. Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fawkes, who had converted to Catholicism, also fought in the 80-Years War for Catholic Spain against the Dutch.

Today in Labor History January 30, 1836: Gustave Lefrancaise (1826-1901) was born. Lefrancais was a French revolutionary member of the First International. He participated in the Partis Commune and cofounded the anarchist Jura Federation. Today in Labor History January 30, 1909: Organizer Saul Alinsky was born in Chicago, Illinois. He worked with the Industrial Areas

1830s Today in Labor History January 29, 1834: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal workers rioted. President Jackson sent in troops to quell the unrest. It was the first time the government used troops to suppress a domestic labor dispute. Workers were rebelling because of terrible working conditions and low pay. George Washington had designed the canal