Labor History

Today in Labor History January 28, 1861: The first national coal miners union, the American Miners Association, was founded. January 28, 1909: U.S. troops finally left Cuba for good. They had been there 11 years, since the Spanish American War, in 1898. Of course, they remained in a tiny corner of the island, known as […]

Today in Labor History January 27, 1825:  U.S. Congress approved Indian Territory in what is present-day Oklahoma. This paved the way for the Trail of Tears forced relocation of native Americans, which killed 4000-6000 indigenous men, women and children. 1850s Today in Labor History January 27, 1850: Samuel Gompers, president and founder of the American

Today in Labor History January 26, 1808: Soldiers took over New South Wales, Australia, during the Rum Rebellion. It was Australia’s only military coup. At the time, NSW was a British penal colony. William Bligh was governor of the territory. This was the same William Bligh who was overthrown in the Mutiny on the Bounty,

1700s-1800s Today in Labor History January 25, 1787: Daniel Shays and 800 followers marched to Springfield, Massachusetts to seize the Federal arsenal during Shays’ Rebellion. The Massachusetts State militia ultimately defeated them. They were trying to end the imprisonment of farmers for debts, confiscation of their lands and other attempts by the wealthy to make

Today in Labor History January 24, 1835: Slaves in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, started a revolt. The uprising helped lead to the end slavery there 50 years later. Muslim slaves and freedmen, inspired by Muslim teachers, launched the rebellion during Ramadan. They were also inspired by the Haitian Revolution (1791−1804). Many wore necklaces bearing the image of President Dessalines, who had