Labor History in 2:00

On this day in Labor History the year was 1959. The United States Congress passed the Landrum-Griffin Act. President Eisenhower signed the new law, which was also called the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The new law had lasting consequences for the way unions operated.  

On this day in Labor History the year was 2013.  Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to clear out Zocalo Square in Mexico City.  The square was occupied by protesting teachers.  The teachers had been on strike for weeks.  They wanted changes made to education reforms that had been passed by the Mexican government. 

On this day in Labor History the year was 1918.  Socialist and labor leader Eugene Debs was sentenced to ten years in prison for opposing the  United States’ involvement in World War I. The Espionage and Sedition Act had been passed a year earlier.  

Today in Labor History, we pause to remember the events that took place on the morning of September 11.  The year was 2001. 

Terrorists hijacked planes and intentionally crashed them into Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.  

On this day in Labor History the year was 1897, striking coal miners marched on a coal mine in Lattimer, Pennsylvania. Earlier that year the miners had gone out on strike. Most of the miners were German or Eastern European immigrants. 

On this day in Labor History the year was 1924.  Sixteen striking Filipino sugar workers on the Hawaiian island of Kauaiwere killed by police.  This incident is known as the Hanapepe Massacre.  Filipinos began immigrating to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations in 1906. 

On this day in Labor History the year was 1901. That was the day that Francisco Ferrer opened the Escuela Moderna in Barcelona, Spain.  Ferrer was anarchist and educator.  Explaining what he hoped to accomplish with these new schools.  He said, “There must be a co-education of the different social classes as well as of the two sexes.”

On this day in Labor History the year was 1980. The 32^nd Annual Emmy Awards show took place despite 51 of the 52 nominated performers boycotting the event.  At issue was a strike by members of the Screen Actors Guild.  Powers Boothe was the only nominated actor to attend.  

On this day in Labor History the year was 1941. The Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee, part of the CIO, and Armour & Company signed a master contract.  This was the first such contract in the meatpacking industry. Within two years, three other major meatpackers also signed agreements with the union. 

What are your plans for Labor Day weekend?  Are you going to enjoy a barbecue with friends or family, or maybe march with your union in a parade?  Do you know the history of this holiday? On this day in Labor History the year was 1882.