Labor History

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

1700s Today in Labor History November 30, 1786: The Grand Duchy of Tuscany, under Pietro Leopoldo I, abolished the death penalty, becoming the first modern state to do so. 1800s-1830s Today in Labor History November 30, 1803: The Balmis Expedition left Spain to vaccinate millions against smallpox in Spanish America and Philippines. The mission lasted from 1803 to 1806. The Spanish brought smallpox to the

1700s Today in Labor History November 29, 1781: The crew of the British slave ship Zong slaughtered over 130 enslaved Africans. According to the crew, the ship ran low on drinking water after several navigational blunders. Consequently, they threw the insured slaves overboard. However, when the insurers refused to pay, the slavers sued. On appeal, the judges, ruled against