Today in Labor History—July 13

Rioters and Federal Troops Clash During New York Draft Riots

July 13, 1863 – Modern history's bloodiest riot began when 50,000 Civil War draft protesters burned buildings (including an orphan asylum), stores and draft offices in New York City. They also attacked police, as well as blacks, who they blamed for the war. 1,200 died. (From the Daily Bleed)

July 13, 1869 -- Street riots against Chinese laborers began in San Francisco. (From the Daily Bleed)

July 13, 1892 -- Martial law was declared in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, with National Guards and federal troops coming to “restore order” after the dynamiting at the Frisco mine on July 11. (From the Daily Bleed)

July 13, 1917 – A 3-day General Strike began in São Paulo, Brazil, following the killing of the anarchist shoemaker, Antonio Martinez on July 10. Martinez was killed police during a demonstration in support of textile strikers. (From the Daily Bleed)

July 13, 1934 - The Southern Tenant Farmers' Union was launched in Arkansas. (From Workday Minnesota)

July 13, 1991 – The Chicago police chief called for the suspension of constitutional rights so his cops could fight crime more effectively, praising the "low crime rate" of Nazi Germany. (From the Daily Bleed)

July 13, 1995 - Newspaper workers struck against The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. Hundreds of workers were locked out in the strike. (From Workday Minnesota)