Today in Labor History—March 4

March 4, 1634 – The first American tavern opened on this date in Boston, Massachusetts. (From the Daily Bleed)

Union Stockyards, Chicago, 1870s (from Wikipedia)

 March 4, 1865 - Union Stockyards opened in Chicago, establishing the Windy City as the world's largest meat packing center by the end of the decade. Thousands of workers migrated to Chicago to work in the yards, leading to the organizing of numerous unions and the establishment of Chicago as one of the nation’s union strongholds. (From Workday Minnesota)

March 4, 1908 -- Lakeview School, in Collinwood, Ohio, caught fire, with 174 children and two teachers dying as a result. (From the Daily Bleed)

Anti-IWW Cartoon from the Spokane Spokesman Review, 1909 (Image from WAFreePress)

March 4, 1910—The Industrial Workers of the World won their free speech fight in Spokane, Washington, when the licenses of 18 “employment” agencies were revoked. The campaign was intended to dissuade workers from “buying” jobs in the streets from the job sharks (“employment” agencies) that routinely swindled workers. The fight began in late 1908 and continued through 1909. (From the Daily Bleed)

March 4, 1937 – The UAW won their sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan. The strike at the Fisher Body Plant Number One lasted 40 days and was the longest sit-down strike in history. 5,000 armed workers circled the plant to protect the workers inside. Following police attacks with tear-gas, workers fought back with fire hoses. 13 workers were injured by police gunfire. By the time the National Guard arrived, sympathy strikes had spread to GM plants across the country. (From the Daily Bleed)

March 4, 1989 - The International Association of Machinists struck Eastern Airlines, with 8,500 ramp service workers, mechanics, aircraft cleaners and stock clerks joined by 6,000 flight attendants and 3,400 pilots in the nationwide strike. (From Workday Minnesota)