Episodes
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
July 21 - The Crazy Eights
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1878. That was the day that a new song was introduced to the US labor movement. Reverend Jesse H. Jones set the lyrics of a poem that had been written by I. G. Blanchard more than a decade earlier. The song was called the “Eight Hour Day.”
Monday Jul 20, 2020
July 20 - Delivering Respect
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1971. It was an historic day for the men and women who deliver the US Mail. It was the day that the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers signed their first ever union contract. Although there had been earlier postal unions they did not have formal bargaining rights.
Sunday Jul 19, 2020
July 19 - Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Sunday Jul 19, 2020
Sunday Jul 19, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1993. That was the day that President Bill Clinton announced his “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He had campaigned for President promising to allow all citizens to serve in the military regardless of sexual orientation. Once he was elected there was a great deal of opposition to his proposal.
Saturday Jul 18, 2020
July 18 - Chicago Stockyards Workers Kick Off Historic 1919 Strike
Saturday Jul 18, 2020
Saturday Jul 18, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1919. That Friday thousands of workers in the Chicago Stockyards walked off the job. A serious union organizing drive had been underway in the yards since June. One of the organizers of the butchers was John Kikulski.
Friday Jul 17, 2020
July 17 - Growing Teamster Power
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Friday Jul 17, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1934. The Teamster members of Local 574, in Minneapolis were back out on strike. Their strike had begun two months prior on May 16. The striking Teamsters had effectively shut down much of the commercial transportation in the city.
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
July 16 - The Birth of a Voice
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1862. That was the day that black-rights activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She was the oldest of eight children. Wells went to college, and then became a teacher in Memphis, Tennessee. In Memphis, Ida B. Wells became active in speaking out against black oppression in the Jim Crow South.
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
July 15 - Murdered for Standing Up
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1931. That was the day that Ralph Gray was attacked for trying to organize black farmers. Gray was a born to a large African American family in Alabama. Living in the Jim Crow South, he became a tenant farmer. He joined the Communist Party.
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
July 14 - Happy Birthday Woody!
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1912. That was the day that Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. Guthrie became one of the most prolific song writers to ever sing the stories of the working class. His most well-well known song is “This Land is Your Land” an anthem whose lyrics claim America for the common man.
Monday Jul 13, 2020
July 13 - The New York City Draft Riots
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1863. That was the day that draft riots broke out in New York City. The Civil War had been raging for two years. For the first time in United States’ history, the government instituted a draft lottery. But those with enough money could buy their way out of the draft.
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
July 12 - The Birth of Oscar Neebe
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
Sunday Jul 12, 2020
On this day in Labor History the year was 1850. That was the birthday of Oscar Neebe. Neebe was one of eight men convicted of inciting violence at a workers rally at Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886. He was born in New York City