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The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment in the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. This amendment greatly expanded the civil rights of Americans. -
The National Labor Union
The National Labor Union was the first labor federation in the United States that was made up of both skilled and unskilled workers, farmers and reformers. The members of this union pressured congress to make new labor law reforms. One of these reforms included the eight-hour work day. -
The First Labor Day
The very first labor day was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. Thousands of workers marched from City Hall to Union Square. Many celebrated with picnics, concerts, and speeches. -
The Great Southwest Railroad Strike
The Great Southwest Railroad Strike was a labor union strike involving railroad workers from five different states. They struck against the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads. This led to the collapse of the Knights of Labor and the formation of the American Federation of Labor. -
Haymarket Riot
The Haymarket Riot was the aftermath of a labor protest near Chicago's Haymarket Square. A bombing had taken place, causing mass chaos and the death of at least eight people. -
The Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike pitted the Carnegie Steel Company against the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. The battle between strikers and private security agents ended in a major defeat for the union. This caused setbacks for their efforts to unionize steelworkers. -
The Pullman Strike
The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike and boycott that disrupted rail traffic in the Midwest United States.The American Railway Union argued against the Pullman Company. -
The Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was one of the deadliest industrial disasters in U.S. history. 145 workers died from the fire, smoke inhalation, and falling or jumping to their deaths. This tragedy brought attention to neglected safety features in factories. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is a federal statute that introduced the forty-hour work week, a national minimum wage, time-and-a-half for overtime in certain jobs, and prohibition of oppressive child labor. -
Steel Strike of 1959
The Steel Strike of 1959 was a labor union strike by the United Steelworkers of Americas. The USWA launched the strike in hopes of overturning a clause in their contract that could ultimately reduce hours or numbers of employees.
