Feb. 14, 2011: Wisconsin Workers Strike
The Wisconsin Workers strike involved as many as 100,000 protesters opposing the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10.
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Theme: Labor
Labor
March 14, 1954: Salt of the Earth Premieres
The film Salt of the Earth premiered at the 86th Street Grande Theatre, the only theater in New York City that would show the film.
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Feb. 16, 1936: Akron Rubber Strike
Rubber workers began a sit-down strike at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio.
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April 5, 1979: Boston University Strike
Boston University refused to approve negotiated contract, so the faculty union called a strike, with Howard Zinn as co-chair of strike committee. Other staff and librarians also went on strike that spring.
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Triangle Fire (Film)
Film. Written by Mark Zwonitzer and Directed by Jamila Wignot. 2018. 52 minutes.
After a tragic workplace accident, the private industry of the American factory would never be the same.
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After a tragic workplace accident, the private industry of the American factory would never be the same.
Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong
Picture book. By Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta. Illustrated by Andre Sibayan. 2018.
The first nonfiction illustrated Filipino-American history book for children tells the story of labor activist Larry Itliong, who organized farmworkers on the West Coast in the mid-20th century.
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The first nonfiction illustrated Filipino-American history book for children tells the story of labor activist Larry Itliong, who organized farmworkers on the West Coast in the mid-20th century.
March 25, 1911: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
A fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory took the lives of 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women.
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A Young People’s History of the United States: Revised and Updated
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff with additions by Ed Morales. 2022. 544 pages.
A young adult version of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, ideal for 6th through 9th grade students.
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A young adult version of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, ideal for 6th through 9th grade students.
Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!: Janitor Strike in L.A.
Picture book. By Diana Cohn and illustrated by Francisco Delgado. 2008. 31 pages.
A children's book based on the true story of the Justice for Janitors strike.
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A children's book based on the true story of the Justice for Janitors strike.
Claiming and Teaching the 1963 March on Washington
By Bill Fletcher Jr.
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August 28 marks the anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Publicly associated with Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, this march brought more than 250,000 people to the nation’s capital. The day went down in history as a powerful show of force against Jim Crow segregation. Over time this great event has risen to levels of near mythology. The powerful speech by Dr. King, replayed, in part, for us every January on Martin Luther King Day, has eclipsed all else — so much so that too many people believe that the March on Washington was entirely the work of Dr. King. It is also barely remembered that the March on Washington was for freedom and jobs.
April 20, 1914: Ludlow Massacre
The National Guard fired on striking miners and their families in Ludlow, Colorado.
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April 3, 1934: Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union
The Southern Tenant Farmers Union broke away from a larger organization and became a racially integrated workers union.
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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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Deportations on Trial: Mexican Americans During the Great Depression
Teaching Activity. By Ursula Wolfe-Rocca.
In this lesson, students analyze who is to blame for the illegal, mass deportations of Mexican Americans and immigrants during the Great Depression.
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In this lesson, students analyze who is to blame for the illegal, mass deportations of Mexican Americans and immigrants during the Great Depression.
April 8, 1911: Banner Mine Explosion
An explosion at the Banner Mine in Alabama killed 128 men, almost all of them African American prisoners of the state who were forced to work in the mine under the convict leasing system.
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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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From the New Deal to the Green New Deal: Stories of Crisis and Possibility
Teaching Activity. By Suzanna Kassouf, Matt Reed, Tim Swinehart, Ursula Wolfe-Rocca, and Bill Bigelow.
The stories of twenty people whose lives were touched by the New Deal of the 1930s come to life in this classroom activity, intended to open students' minds to the possibilities of a Green New Deal.
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The stories of twenty people whose lives were touched by the New Deal of the 1930s come to life in this classroom activity, intended to open students' minds to the possibilities of a Green New Deal.
July 11, 1947: Anguilla Prison Massacre
A camp warden and guards shot dead eight prisoners being held at the Anguilla Prison in Georgia. The Anguilla Prison Massacre Quilt Project tells that story, drawing on records from the NAACP.
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Organizing Your Own: The White Fight for Black Power in Detroit
Book — Non-fiction. By Say Burgin. 2024. 304 pages.
Shows that the Black freedom movement never experienced a “white purge,” and offers a new way of understanding Black Power’s relationship to white people in United States.
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Shows that the Black freedom movement never experienced a “white purge,” and offers a new way of understanding Black Power’s relationship to white people in United States.
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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May 12, 1968: The Poor People’s Campaign Began
The Poor People’s Campaign was a multiracial effort to gain economic justice for poor people.
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Feb. 18, 1969: Beginning of Wildcat “Black Lung” Strikes
West Virginia coal miners orchestrated successful wildcat strikes demanding compensation for black lung disease and safer working conditions.
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