Today in Labor History—October 31

Paris Communards at the Barricade, March 1871

October 31, 1870 – French national guards revolted on this date during the siege of Paris. There was also a massive demonstration in front of the Town hall supporting the Paris Commune. (From the Daily Bleed)

Seattle's Hooverville

 October 31, 1931 – Occupy Seattle was inaugurated. Led by unemployed lumberjack Jesse Jackson, the first Hooverville was built on vacant land owned by the Port of Seattle near Pioneer Square. Within two days over 50 shacks were erected and by 1934, 600-1000 people were living in them. By 1941, Seattle's “Hooverville” covered 25 blocks. Hoovervilles eventually spread throughout the country. (From the Daily Bleed)

October 31, 1978 – 30,000 oil workers in Iran struck against the repressive rule of the Shah. (From the Daily Bleed)

October 31, 1989 – In El Salvador a bomb killed 10 trade union leaders at union headquarters. A major FMLN offensive followed. (From the Daily Bleed)

Today in Labor History—August 19

Little Red Songbook

August 19, 1909 – The first edition of the IWW’s The Little Red Songbook was published. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1916 – Strikebreakers attacked and beat picketing IWW strikers in Everett, Washington. The police refused to intervene, claiming it was federal jurisdiction. However, when the strikers retaliated, they arrested the strikers. Vigilante attacks on IWW picketers and speakers escalated and continued for months, culminating in the Everett massacre on November 5, when union men were fired upon, with seven dying and 50 being wounded. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1920 – A peasant insurrection began in Tambov, USSR. The Bolsheviks were unable to suppress the revolt until May, 1921. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1936 -- Members of the Newspaper Guild struck the Hearst-owned "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," shutting it down for nearly four months. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1953 – Royalist troops in Iran overthrew the liberal-leaning Premier Mohammed Mossadegh and istalled the pro-Western Shah Mohammed Pahlevi. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1954 – The Communist Control Act was passed in the U.S., outlawing the Communist Party. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1959 – The second longest labor strike in Butte, Montana's history began, lasting 181 days (-February 15, 1960). (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1996 – ACTU labor protesters attacked the Australian Parliament in Canberra with battering rams and sledgehammers. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1997 –, United Parcel Service agreed to a contract with the Teamsters, after a 16-day strike. This was labor's first successful nationwide strike in two decades. (From Shmoop Labor History)

Today in Labor History—October 31

Paris Communards at the Barricade, March 1871

October 31, 1870 – French national guards revolted on this date during the siege of Paris. There was also a massive demonstration in front of the Town hall supporting the Paris Commune. (From the Daily Bleed)

Seattle's Hooverville

 October 31, 1931 – Occupy Seattle was inaugurated. Led by unemployed lumberjack Jesse Jackson, the first Hooverville was built on vacant land owned by the Port of Seattle near Pioneer Square. Within two days over 50 shacks were erected and by 1934, 600-1000 people were living in them. By 1941, Seattle's “Hooverville” covered 25 blocks. Hoovervilles eventually spread throughout the country. (From the Daily Bleed)

October 31, 1978 – 30,000 oil workers in Iran struck against the repressive rule of the Shah. (From the Daily Bleed)

October 31, 1989 – In El Salvador a bomb killed 10 trade union leaders at union headquarters. A major FMLN offensive followed. (From the Daily Bleed)

Today in Labor History—August 19

Little Red Songbook

August 19, 1909 – The first edition of the IWW’s The Little Red Songbook was published. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1916 – Strikebreakers attacked and beat picketing IWW strikers in Everett, Washington. The police refused to intervene, claiming it was federal jurisdiction. However, when the strikers retaliated, they arrested the strikers. Vigilante attacks on IWW picketers and speakers escalated and continued for months, culminating in the Everett massacre on November 5, when union men were fired upon, with seven dying and 50 being wounded. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1920 – A peasant insurrection began in Tambov, USSR. The Bolsheviks were unable to suppress the revolt until May, 1921. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1936 -- Members of the Newspaper Guild struck the Hearst-owned "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," shutting it down for nearly four months. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1953 – Royalist troops in Iran overthrew the liberal-leaning Premier Mohammed Mossadegh and istalled the pro-Western Shah Mohammed Pahlevi. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1954 – The Communist Control Act was passed in the U.S., outlawing the Communist Party. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1959 – The second longest labor strike in Butte, Montana's history began, lasting 181 days (-February 15, 1960). (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1996 – ACTU labor protesters attacked the Australian Parliament in Canberra with battering rams and sledgehammers. (From the Daily Bleed)

August 19, 1997 –, United Parcel Service agreed to a contract with the Teamsters, after a 16-day strike. This was labor's first successful nationwide strike in two decades. (From Shmoop Labor History)