Jan. 28, 1948: Plane Wreck at Los Gatos
A plane crash near Coalinga, California, causing the death of 28 Mexican laborers and others, led to a popular song and belated recognition.
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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. 25, 1941: A. Philip Randolph and March on Washington
A. Philip Randolph, president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters union, made the official call for a march on Washington, with the demand to end segregation in defense industries.
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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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Jan. 11, 1912: The Bread and Roses Strike Started
The Bread and Roses Strike began in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
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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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Dec. 30, 1936: First Sit-Down Strike Begins in Flint
The Flint sit-down strike represented a shift in union organizing strategies from craft unionism (organizing white male skilled workers) to industrial unionism (organizing all the workers in an industry). The sit-down strike changed the balance of power between employers and workers.
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Dec. 26, 1907: New York City Rent Strike
Months of organizing work by 16-year-old Pauline Newman culminated in the start of the largest rent strike in New York City’s history.
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Dec. 24, 1913: Calumet Italian Hall Disaster
The Italian Hall disaster killed 73 people, 59 of them children, from families of striking copper miners.
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Nov. 30, 1999: Protesters Shut Down WTO Conference in Seattle
A coalition of environmental activists, anti-capitalists, and union leaders took to the streets of Seattle to bring the World Trade Organization conference to a halt.
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Nov. 28, 1973: Auto Workers Strike for Palestine
In solidarity with the Palestinian people, Detroit auto workers led a one-day strike protesting the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) support of Israel.
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Nov. 28, 1919: Jane Addams and Palmer Raids
The Palmer Raids began in November of 1919 and targeted suspected radical leftists, especially anarchists, and deported them from the United States.
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Nov. 26, 1912: Lawrence Textile Strike Acquittal
Joseph James Ettor, Arturo Giovannitti, and Joseph Caruso were acquitted after one of the most important labor trials.
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Nov. 24, 1947: Hollywood 10 Held in Contempt of Congress
The “Hollywood 10” directors, producers, and writers who refused to testify at HUAC were held in contempt of Congress.
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Nov. 23, 1887: Thibodaux Massacre
Between 30-60 striking Black Louisiana sugarcane workers were massacred.
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Nov. 22, 1919: Bogalusa Labor Massacre, Attack on Interracial Solidarity
The Bogalusa Labor Massacre was an attack on interracial labor solidarity in Louisiana.
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Nov. 21, 1927: Columbine Mine Massacre
In the midst of the 1927–1928 Colorado Coal Strike, police indiscriminately opened fire on hundreds of coal miners and their families who were picketing the Columbine Mine.
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Nov. 19, 1915: Labor Organizer Joe Hill Executed
The state of Utah executed Joe Hill, labor organizer, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
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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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Nov. 13, 1909: Cherry Mine Disaster
A disaster in the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Illinois, killed 259 boys and men.
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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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