Today in Labor History—May 19

May 19, 1850 – Four thousand Mexican workers gathered in Sonora, California, to protest the "Foreign Miners' Tax," enacted to drive them from gold fields. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1855 – U.S. troops landed in Shanghai to "protect American interests." (From the Daily Bleed)

Jose Marti

May 19, 1895 – Cuban Revolutionary and independence leader Jose Marti died. (From the Daily Bleed)

Fraterville Miners Circle From Coal Creek Disater (Image by Brian Stansberry)

May 19, 1902 –An explosion in Coal Creek, Tennessee killed 184 miners. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1921 – Continuing labor organizing and strikes in Mingo County (see Matewan Massacre, May 18 Today in Labor History) led the Governor to proclaim martial law in Mingo County. UMWA membership had bloomed in the wake of the "Matewan Massacre").(From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1925 – Malcolm X  was born, Omaha, Nebraska. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1928 – A coal-mine explosion in Mather, Pa killed 194,. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1934 – 10,000 participated in "No More War" march, New York City. (From the Daily Bleed)

May 19, 1989 -- Trinidadian Marxist philosopher C.L.R. James died. James was the author of The Black Jacobins (1938), Breaking a Boundary (1963), & numerous articles and essays on class & race antagonism, West Indian self-determination, cricket, Marxism, & aesthetics. (From the Daily Bleed)