A daily, pocket-sized history of America's working people, brought to you by The Rick Smith Show team.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 27, 2015
Tuesday Jan 27, 2015
Today in labor history, January 27, 1850, renowned labor leader Samuel Gompers was born to a Jewish family in London, England. His family immigrated to the United States in 1863, where Gompers learned the cigar-making trade from his father.
Monday Jan 26, 2015
Monday Jan 26, 2015
Today in labor history, January 26, 1897 saw the charter of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union, formed out the merger of seven other unions.
Sunday Jan 25, 2015
Sunday Jan 25, 2015
After an election, have you ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering why it seems that working people vote for candidates that do not represent their interests? Well, that feeling is nothing new. Back in 1912, Ernest Riebe of the Industrial Workers of the World created a comic strip character, Mr. Block.
Saturday Jan 24, 2015
Saturday Jan 24, 2015
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.”
Friday Jan 23, 2015
Friday Jan 23, 2015
On this date in 1945 Nikolaus Gross was hung in a Berlin prison. Hear why.
Thursday Jan 22, 2015
Thursday Jan 22, 2015
On this day in labor history, the year was 1890 Miners from a number of smaller miner unions gathered in Columbus Ohio to consolidate their ranks and form the United Mine Workers of America.
Wednesday Jan 21, 2015
Wednesday Jan 21, 2015
On this day in labor history, the year was 1946. US steel workers staged the greatest walkout in the history of the Steel industry.
Nearly 750,000 strikers shut down more than 1,200 steel plants in 30 states.
Tuesday Jan 20, 2015
Tuesday Jan 20, 2015
Today in labor history, January 20, 1909, marked one of deadliest workplace disasters in Chicago history. It took place a little over a mile off-shore near 71st Street, on Lake Michigan. A group of predominantly Irish laborers were working on a tunnel to bring fresh water to the city’s growing south side.
Monday Jan 19, 2015
Monday Jan 19, 2015
3,000 members of the Filipino Labor Union went on strike against the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association on the island of Oahu. Plantation Bosses intentionally recruited Filipino workers, in an effort to weaken the Japanese labor force on the island. The bosses pitted one group as strikebreakers against the other.
Sunday Jan 18, 2015
Sunday Jan 18, 2015
Today in labor history, January 18, 1943 marks the death of the first woman general organizer appointed by the American Federation of Labor. Mary Kenney O'Sullivan was born the only child of working-class Irish immigrants, in Hannibal, Missouri.