Today in Labor History—November 21

Revolte des Canuts - Lyon 1831(public domain)

November 21, 1831 – Silk workers went on strike in Lyon, France. However, the entire city rose in insurrection when the National Guard killed several workers. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 21, 1863 – Workers across the country were striking and protesting against high prices during the Civil War. (From Workday Minnesota)

November 21, 1870 -- Alexander Berkman was born on this date in Vilna, Russia (Lithuania). One-time lover and life-long comrade of Emma Goldman, Berkman wrote Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist, after serving time for attempting to murder Henry Clay Frick, architect of the massacre of striking Homestead/Carnegie Steel workers. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 21, 1921 – The original Columbine Massacre occurred in Serine, Colorado, with six striking IWW miners slaughtered by state police and company thugs. The police and guards used machine guns against the unarmed miners. Dozens were injured. (From the Daily Bleed)

November 21, 1945 – 200,000 United Auto Workers went on strike against General Motors. (From the Daily Bleed)