Samuel Gompers

  • Birth

    He was born in London on this day.
  • Apprenticeship

    He started his apprecticeship as a cigar maker in London during this year.
  • Left London

    In 1863 Samuel and his family left London to come to the United States.
  • Elected President of Local Labor Union

    Elected president of consolidated Cigarmakers Local 144 in New York City.
  • Blacklisted

    During this year, Federal troops were called in to supress nationswide railroadstrikes, which caused Gompers to be blacklisted by the government.
  • Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions

    During this yeasr, Gomprs helped establish the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, which ended up becoming one of the largest labor organizations in the country.
  • American Federation of Labor

    The Fedration of Organized Trades and Labor Unions was renamed to the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and Gompers was elected its first president.
  • Strikes Broken

    The Homestead steel strike was broken by Pennsylvania state militia and the Coeur d'Alene miners' strike was broken by Federal troops
  • Lost Election for AFL President

    This was the one and only time that Gompers did not win the presidential election for President of the AFL. He took a one year leave and never once took another year off.
  • Goes to Washington

    During thiss year, he presented "Labor's Bill of Grievances" to Roosevelt and Congress.
  • Department of Labor

    After much deliberation, the Department of Labor was created. It helped make many sweeping changes in labor conditions in the United States.
  • Biggest Strike in US History

    This year had the biggest strike in US History, causing Washinmgton to make immediate changes in the working conditions of factory workers.
  • Death

    Samuel died in San Antonio, Texas on this day.