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Samuel Gompers
Samuel Gompers was an English-born, American labor union leader. He founded and served as the first president of the American Federation of Labor. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment declared that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." The amendment was ratified eight months after the end of the Civil War, it represented the end of the struggle against slavery. -
The 1st Day of Labor
Peter J. McGuire was inspired by the creation of Labor Day in Canada. Soon after he returned to the U.S. he proposed his idea to the New York's Central Labor Union about the making of a day to honor American workers with their very own day. Congress went on to pass legislation making Labor Day a national holiday in 1894. Labor Day is now celebrated the first Monday in September. -
Haymarket Riot
The peaceful demonstration in Chicago, Illinois attracted about 1,500 Chicago workers to participate. Soon after it began, it became violent. Reason being, a bomb was thrown at a squad of policemen attempting to break up a labor rally. The police responded with gun shots, killing several people in the crowd and injuring dozens more. -
AFL (American Federation of Labor)
The purpose of the AFL was to organize skilled workers into national unions consisting of others in the same trade. Their purpose was not political. They aimed for shorter hours, higher wages, and better working conditions. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike was an industrial lockout and strike. The conflict at Homestead came about at a time when the fast-changing American economy had stumbled and conflicts between labor and management were all over the country. -
Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City was one of the deadliest events since the Revolutionary War. This fire took the live of about 145 women workers. These deaths could have been prevented if the doors of the factory weren't locked and if the factory didn't neglect safety features. -
The Wagner Act
The Wagner Act, was a New Deal reform passed by President Franklin Roosevelt. It was essential in the prevention of employers from interfering with workers' unions and protests in the private sector. -
Taft- Hartley
The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 was, designed to amend much of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and discontinued parts of the Federal Anti-Injunction Act of 1932. This Act required union leaders to take an oath stating they were not a communist union. -
Steel Strike of 1959
The Steel Strike of 1959 started because of a simple request for higher wages due to the steel companies high recording profits. This was one of the longest strikes in history, it lasted about 116 days.
