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Haymarket Riot
A labor protest rally near Chicago’s Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died as a result. Despite a lack of evidence against them, eight radical labor activists were convicted in connection with the bombing. The Haymarket Riot was viewed a setback for the organized labor movement in America, which was fighting for such rights as the eight-hour workday. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
It was a labor union strike involving more than 200,000 workers. On March 1, 1886, railroad workers in five states struck against the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads, which were owned by Jay Gould. At least ten people were killed in the strike. The strike led to the collapse of the Knights of Labor and the formation of the American Federation of Labor. -
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The Great Depression
The deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world. The Great Depression began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. At its peak, 13 to 15 million Americans were unemployed and half of the banks had failed. The economy eventually turned around when World War II kicked the American industry into gear. -
National Labor Relations Act
Passed in 1935 as part of the New Deal. The NLRA gives workers the legal right to form unions and requires employers to bargain with the union over wages, hours, and working conditions. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) enforces this law. -
The Social Security Act of 1935
An act to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue; and for other purposes. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Passed in 1938, the FLSA establishes a federal minimum wage, overtime pay requirements, and child labor standards. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforces this law. -
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World War II
The Second World War. It was fought between the Allied powers of the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan, with their allies. -
Postal Workers Strike
The postal workers had been denied the right to collective bargaining. To protest this publicly, workers at the New York City post office went on strike. Postal workers around the country soon followed their example. -
NAFTA Formed
It is the North American Free Trade Agreement. It was an agreement made between Canada, the United States, and Mexico to reduce trading costs, increase business investment, and help North America be more competitive in the global marketplace. -
Hostess Strikes
The Bankers Union went on strike to demand higher wages. The company threatened a shutdown and then fulfilled their promise when they shut down the company and sold all of their assets to the highest bidder.
