Today in Labor History—January 10

Francisco Ferrer

January 10, 1859 – Radical Spanish educator Francisco Ferrer was born on this date. Ferrer started the first Modern Schools in Spain and inspired hundreds more to be created throughout the world. (From the Daily Bleed and Modern School)

January 10, 1860 – The Pemberton Mill suddenly collapsed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, trapping 900 workers, mostly Irish women. The mill then caught fire, seriously injuring 116 women and killing 88. The fire inquest revealed inferior construction that was too weak to support the brick walls and heavy machinery. The engineer in charge of construction, Captain Charles Bigelow, was aware of this, but was still acquitted of criminal intent. (From the Daily Bleed)

January 10, 1904 – The U.S. Bookbinders Union, No. 147, founded. (From the Daily Bleed)

Train Overturned During 1905 Strike

January 10, 1905 – A revolutionary strike of workers occurred on this date in St. Petersburg, Russia. The revolution lasted from 1905 to 1908. (From the Daily Bleed)

Bolshevik Bombs Discovered in 1907

Joe Hill

 January 10, 1914 – IWW labor organizer/folk singer Joe Hill, allegedly killed two men during a grocery store hold-up on this date. He was ultimately framed for the murders and executed. (From the Daily Bleed)

January 10, 1957 – The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded on this date, with Martin Luther King, Jr. becoming its president. (From the Daily Bleed)

January 10, 1994 – The U.S. Supreme Court let stand the implementation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) despite the lack of an Environmental Impact Statement. (From the Daily Bleed)