Today in Labor History—September 3

Frederick Douglass, 1848

September 3, 1838 – Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland to freedom in the north. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1911 – Six miners were killed in a cage accident in the Butte Superior mine. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1915 – Australian Wobbly (member of the Industrial Workers of the World) Tom Barker was arrested for his anti-war poster, (From the Daily Bleed)

The Poster That Led To Barker's Imprisonment

September 3, 1916 – The Adamson Act was passed, establishing an 8-hour workday for employees of interstate railroads, with overtime for working longer hours. (From Shmoop Labor History Calendar)

September 3, 1920 – Nearly all the factories in Spezia, Italy were occupied and under workers' control. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1931 – The CNT launched a General Strike in Barcelona, Spain. Police actions against workers caused in several deaths. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1944 – Matador El Negro refused to kill a bull at El Toreo, in Mexico. In response to this crime, the police hauled him off to jail. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1956 -- A Labor Day postage stamp was issued, the first stamp honoring American workers. (From the Daily Bleed)

September 3, 1957 -- Elizabeth Eckford was blocked from becoming the first black student at Little Rock, Arkansas, Central High School. (From the Daily Bleed)