Today in Labor History—February 25

The Death Ship book cover (from Libcom)

February 25, 1882 – Ret Marut, also known as B. Traven, author of such novels as The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Death Ship, The Rebellion of the Hanged, The White Rose, was born on this date. (From the Daily Bleed)

February 25, 1908 – The "Washington Post" proposed that ALL anarchists should be executed (whether or not they have been convicted of any crime or offense). (From the Daily Bleed)

Leaders of the Paterson silk strike: Patrick Quinlan, Carlo Tresca, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Adolph Lessig, and Bill Haywood

 February 25, 1913 – The Paterson, New Jersey silk strike began, with 25,000 immigrant textile workers walking out when mill owners doubled the size of the looms without increasing staffing or wages. The strike was organized by the Industrial Workers of the World, but collapsed when mill owners exploited divisions between skilled and unskilled workers, successfully getting the skilled workforce to agree to return to work. Five strikers were killed during the 208-day walkout.  (From Workday Minnesota and the Daily Bleed)

February 25, 1964 – 172,000 students boycotted Chicago schools to protest segregation. (From the Daily Bleed)