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The History of Labor Visual Timeline

  • Samuel Gompers

    Samuel Gompers
    Samuel Gompers was a cigar maker who became a labor union leader. Samuel Gompers tried to unite craft unions together to improve coopoeration between unions.
  • National Labor Union

    National Labor Union
    The National Labor Union was led by William H. Sylvis. The goal of the labor union was to bring together all the individual labor unions to create one big one.
  • Knights of Labor

    Knights of Labor
    The Knights of Labor was founded in Philadelphia by a secret group of tailors. The group slowly grew throughout the 1870s.
  • The First Lavor Day

    The First Lavor Day
    Labor Day was an idea that came from Peter J. Mcguire, who was a Union Leader and a carpenter also. The festival was held in New York City with speeches and music.
  • Haymarket Riot

    Haymarket Riot
    The Haymarket Riot was the aftermath of a bombing at a labor protest at Haymarket Square in Chicago. The deaths were caused by someone throwing a dynamite bomb at police during the protest.
  • AFL (American Federation of Labor)

    AFL (American Federation of Labor)
    The American Federation of Labor was founded in Columbus, Ohio by an alliance of craft unions. The president of the foundation was Samuel Gompers and he was reelected every year until the year he died.
  • Homestead Strike

    Homestead Strike
    The Homestead Strike was not only a strike but a battle between workers and private security agents. The strike occured in Homestead, Pennsylvania.
  • Pullman Strike

    Pullman Strike
    The Pullman Strike was a nationwide strike against the National Railway Union. Nearly 4,000 factory workers went on strike in response to a reduction in wages.
  • Shirtwaist Factory Fire

      Shirtwaist Factory Fire
    The Shirtwaist Factory Fire took place in Manhatten, New York City. The fire caused the death of 146 garment workers of men, women, and children.
  • The Wagner Act

    The Wagner Act
    The Wagner Act was a bill that was signed into law by U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt. It addressed and regarded the relations between the unions and employers in the private sector.