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Knights of Labor Founded.
Uriah Stephens forms the Knights of Labor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a secret society, the Knights were able to organize workers all over the United States of America under the laws of management. -
Railway Strike of 1877
A strike against the Baltimore and Ohio railroad ignites a series of strikes across the Northeast. The violences and disturbances that come result in a labor dispute. -
Haymarket Riot
A labor rally at the Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois, called in support for the eight-hour day, which erupts into chaos when an unknown party tosses a bomb at the police. -
Gompers Founds AFL
In the wake of the Haymarket incident, a labor organizer named Samuel Gompers sets up the American Federation of Labor (AFL). -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Congress passes the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Intended to block business monopolies it will be used effectively by employers against unions. -
Homestead Strike
A lockout at the Homestead Steel Works turns violent as 300 Pinkerton detectives hired by the company arrive at the mills by barge. -
Anti-Labor Injuction
A federal court issues the first injuction against a union under the Sherman Anti Trust Act. -
Pullman Strike
Union workers walk out of the factory of the Pullman Company in Pullman, Illinois. -
IWW Founded
Western Miners and other activists form the Industrial Workers of the world at a convention in Chicago. -
ILGWU Strike
The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) calls a strike in New York. -
LA Times Bombing
A bomb explodes at the headquarters of the stridently anti-union Los Angeles, California. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
A fire in lower Manhattan kills 146 women workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. -
First State Minimum Wage Law
Massachusetts adopts the first minimum wage law. -
Federal Department of Labor Established
The United States of Labor is established as a cabinet-level agency. -
Ludlow Massacre
Violence breaks out in a camp housing striking miners in Ludlow, Colorado.