Today in Labor History April 18

[Omaha Steve]

April 18



April 18, 1857 - Clarence Darrow, the lawyer who defended Eugene V. Debs and the Wobblies, was born. Darrow also defended teacher John Scopes in the famous "Scopes Monkey Trial" regarding the teaching of evolution in public schools. For more on Darrow and the many cases he tried, go to http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/DARROW.HTM

April 18, 1888 - The 260 female employees of Shotwell, Clerihew & Lothman walked out of the clothing factory in downtown Minneapolis to protest a reduction in their pay. The action was unprecedented in the city and the “striking maidens of 1888” became pioneers for women in the cause of social justice. Read Rhoda Gilman's article about the strike: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_2986

West Virginia coal miners strike, defend selves against National Guard - 1912