The History of Labor and the Union

National Labor Union

Aug 20, 1866

Founded in 1866 & dissolved is 1873 was the first national labor federation in the U.S. It paved the way for other organizations like Knights of Labor and AFL.

Knights of Labor

Dec 28, 1869

Founded in 1869, one of the largest and most important American Labor Organizations of the 1880s. They promoted social and cultural uplift of the working man, rejected socialism and anarchism, demanded 8hr days and promoted producers ethic of republicanism.

First Labor Daycare

Sep 5, 1882

Celebration of first Labor Day was NYC in accordance with the plans of the central labor union.

American Ferderation of Labor

Dec 7, 1886

A national federation of labor unions in the U.S. founded in 1886 the largest union grouping in the U.S. for the first 1/2 of the 20th century.

Samuel Gompers

Dec 7, 1886

American Labor union leader who founded AFL and served as its president from 1886-1894 & from 1895-1924 when he died.

Pullman Strike

May 11, 1894

Nationwide railroad strike in U.S. and a turing point for U.S. Labor law

Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Mar 25, 1911

In NYC was one of the deadliest industrial disasters in U.S. history cause 146 deaths. This disaster helped spur the growth of International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

The Wagner Act

Jul 5, 1935

Signed into law by President Roosevelt. It established the national labor relations board and addressed relations between unions and employees in the private sector.

Fair Labor Act of 1938

Jan 1, 1938

Established minimum wage, overtime pay, records keeping and youth employment standards.

Taft-Hartly Act

Jun 23, 1947

The U.S. Federal law that restricts the activities of Labor unions.