Today in Labor History—November 1

African Free School, New York, Lithograph by student Patrick Reason

November 1, 1797 – The First African Free School was established in New York. (From the Daily Bleed)


November 1, 1835 – The first U.S. General Strike for the 10 hour working day occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (From the Daily Bleed)

Osceola

November 1, 1836 – Seminole Indian resistance led by Osceola began their resistance to forced removal from their land by the U.S., leading to war with the U.S.  The war ended in August 1842, with the Indians being forced to march to Oklahoma. 1,500 U.S. soldiers died in the 8-year war. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 1, 1910 – The "L'Ecole Ferrer" Modern School was founded in Lausanne, Switzerland by the anarchiste pediatrist Jean Wintsch & Emile Durand. The school taught roughly 30 boys and girls and was supported by about 15 trade unions. (From the Daily Bleed)

The Malbone wreck still sit in the tunnel

 November 1, 1918 - A scab driver crashed a New York City subway train in the Malbone Tunnel during a labor dispute. 97 died and 255 were injured in the tragedy. New York changed the name of the tunnel to erase the memory of the horrible accident and the infamous trial that followed. It is now called Prospect Park and Malbone St. (From Workday Minnesota)

November 1, 1919 – Over 400,000 miners across the country went on strike. Insurgent miners took over the United Mine Workers (UMW) convention in Cleveland — even though union officials tried to exclude rebellious locals. The union was so concerned with suppressing wildcat strikes and dissension among their ranks that they supplied scabs to help mine owners put down the wildcat strikes! The coal miners ignored their union’s orders to cancel the strike for nearly a month. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 1, 1950 – Two Puerto Rican Nationalists attempted to assassinate President Truman. In 1954 other Nationalists opened fire in the House of Representatives, wounding five Congressmen. They were sentenced to 50 years imprisonment, but were later pardoned. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 1, 1954 – Algerians revolted against French colonial rule, beginning a bloody 7½ year war which ultimately resulted in Algerian independence. (From the Daily Bleed)