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Slaves from Africa first imported to colonies
African Americans are sold and bought to use as personal slaves for free labor. -
First slavery codes begin trend of making African servants slaves for life
Slaves are treated as though they are not human and simply properties. -
Seneca Falls women’s rights convention
Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony held a convention to discuss women's rights. -
President Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing African American slaves. -
National Labor Union founded
Led by William H. Sylvis, the NLU attempted to bring together labor unions so they can be altogether more successful -
15th Amendment to the Constitution adopted; states the right to vote may not be abrogated by color
The 15th amendment was added to allow nonwhites to vote. -
Triangle Shirtwaist factory in fire in New York kills nearly 150 workers
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire caused many Americans to think about how dangerous factories truly were and something had to be done to fix those dangers. -
United States enters World War I
This transition into the war caused many more women to work in order to earn money for the family while their husbands were at war. -
19th Amendment to the Constitution gives women the right to vote
After years of long, hard work, the women finally gain the right to vote. -
Stock market crashes as stocks fall 40 percent; Great Depression begins
The Great Depression causes Americans to lose many of their jobs. -
Philip Murray becomes CIO president
As CIO president, he transformed labor unions. -
U.S. troops enter combat in World Wal II National War Labor Board
Many people had to give up a lot for WWII so that troops could be sent food and supplies for battle. -
Largest strike wave in U.S. history
Many labor unions agreed to not strike during the war causing a build up of angry workers, leading to an explosion of strikes. -
Civil Rights Act bans institutional forms of racial discrimination
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed the discrimination of all African Americans including segregation. -
Coalition of Labor Union Women founded
The CLUW has four goals, promoting affirmative action in the workplace, strengthening the role of women in unions, organizing more women into unions, increasing the involvement of women in the democratic process. -
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance created within AFL-CIO
The APALA was created to raise awareness against sweatshops and child labor using Asian-Pacific Americans. -
Free Trade Area Protest
40,000 union activists and allies protest the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada, the largest anti-globalization mobilization to date. -
Employee Free Choice Act
The Employee Free Choice Act is reintroduced into the U.S. Congress as bipartisan legislation, winning support from 182 House members and 37 Senate co-sponsors by June 2005.
