March 3, 1807: Thomas Jefferson Signs Insurrection Act Into Law
President Thomas Jefferson put his signature on the law known as the Insurrection Act.
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This Day in People's History
Welcome to the This Day in People's History (#tdih) series. Search people’s history events by date, theme, state, or keyword.
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Jan. 29, 1834: Federal Troops Suppress Labor Protest
President Andrew Jackson used federal troops to suppress worker organizing.
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July 3, 1835: Paterson Silkworkers Strike
In Paterson, New Jersey, 2,000 workers went on strike from 20 textile mills.
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April 21, 1856: Workers Protest in Australia
Stonemasons and other construction workers protested for an eight-hour workday.
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Jan. 10, 1860: Pemberton Mill Collapse
More than 100 textile workers died when a mill collapsed due to inadequate construction.
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June 21, 1866: Southern Homestead Act
The Southern Homestead Act of 1866 was signed, providing land to the formerly enslaved, lands which had been stolen from the Native American inhabitants.
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Jan. 13, 1874: The New York City Tompkins Square Riot
The New York City Tompkins Square Riot occurred during a devastating economic depression.
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July 22, 1877: St. Louis Rail Strike
Rail workers and residents of St. Louis, Missouri briefly took over the city as part of the wider Great Railroad Strike of 1877.
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July 19, 1881: Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike
Black women in Atlanta who washed clothes for a living organized an effective Reconstruction era strike — with clear demands, strategic timing, and door-to-door canvassing.
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May 6, 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act Signed
The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was signed, prohibiting Chinese immigration to the United States.
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Sept. 2, 1885: Rock Springs Massacre
White coal miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, brutally attacked Chinese workers.
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May 1: International Workers Day
International Workers’ Day began as a commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket massacre in Chicago.
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May 4, 1886: Haymarket Tragedy
A peaceful demonstration in Chicago for the eight-hour day ended in tragedy when the police barged in and a bomb exploded.
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Nov. 23, 1887: Thibodaux Massacre
Between 30-60 striking Black Louisiana sugarcane workers were massacred.
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Nov. 14, 1889: Nellie Bly Embarks on Travel Around the World
Pioneering journalist Nellie Bly began a successful attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days.
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Oct. 31, 1891: Coal Creek War
A labor uprising to protest convict leasing led to the Coal Creek War.
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July 6, 1892: Homestead Strike
Spies from the Pinkerton Detective Agency and striking steelworkers engaged in a major battle as part of the Homestead Strike.
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July 11, 1892: Coeur d’Alene Idaho Miners Strike
Miners in Coeur d’Alene held a strike and took on the Pinkertons.
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Nov. 8, 1892: Massive Labor Strike in New Orleans
Thirty thousand factory and dock workers staged the 1892 New Orleans general strike.
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