January 24 - A Minimum Level of Dignity

Today in labor history, January 24, 1950 the minimum wage in the United States was raised to 75 cents an hour.  This move nearly doubled the minimum wage, from the previous level of 40 cents.  22 million people were eligible for this wage increase.  In his statement on the change President Harry Truman declared, “It is a measure dictated by social justice. It adds to our economic strength. It is founded on the belief that full human dignity requires at least a minimum level of economic sufficiency and security.”