Labor History

Today in Labor History December 5, 1492: Columbus became the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola, setting in motion the genocide of Indigenous Americans. Today in Labor History December 5, 1798: Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi was recruited to run a new orphanage in the Swiss town of Stans. This was immediately after […]

Today in Labor History December 4, 1906: The National Federation of Postal Clerks was chartered. In 1971, they merged with four other postal unions to form the modern APWU. Go Postal! Today in Labor History December 4, 1951:  Walter Reuther, President of the United Autoworkers (UAW), was elected head of the Congress of Industrial Organizations

Today in Labor History December 3, 1854: State troopers killed 22-60 gold miners in the Battle of the Eureka Stockade, in Victoria, Australia. The miners had revolted against the colonial authority of the UK in a conflict over expensive mining licenses and abuses by local police and military. Public opinion was so much in support

Today in Labor History December 2, 1766: Swedish parliament approved the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act, making it the first country in the world with freedom of speech. Today in Labor History December 2, 1823: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President James Monroe proclaimed American neutrality in future European conflicts, and warned European powers not to

1800s Today in Labor History December 1, 1834: Britain abolished slavery in the Cape Colony in accordance with the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. However, slaves were required to continue working for their masters as “apprentices” until 1838, when their servitude actually ended. 1900s Today in Labor History December 1, 1904: W. A. “Tough Tony” Boyle, future president of