Make sure to look at Illinois Labor History Sites. Many of the links on the map feature extensive articles on events listed.
Mine
Union Radicalism In Macoupin and Montgomery Counties, IL
Illinois author, Victor Hicken describes the origins of political radicalism
among miners in central and southern Illinois.
The
Photographs of Lewis Hine: The Documentation of Child Labor
After the Civil War, the availability of natural resources, new inventions,
and a receptive market combined to fuel an industrial boom. The demand for labor
grew, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries many children were drawn
into the labor force. This article and exercise addresses the issue of child
labor through the photographs of Lewis Hine. It was written by Linda Darus Clark,
a teacher at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio and is reposted courtesy
of the National Archives and
Records Administration.
Mother
Jones, the Miners' Angel
"Mother" Jones was American Labor's best know "agitator" in the turn of the
century era. She was especially close to the coal miners whom she referred to
as her "boys," but she went anywhere when called on for help.
Ralph
Chaplin Remembers Mother Jones
The colorful recollections of a colorful personalty, by a colorful character.
Story
of Solidarity, Labor's Anthem
"Solidarity Forever," the most often sung of all labor songs, was written in
1915 by IWW-member Ralph Chaplin.
Story
of the Great Cherry Coal Mine Disaster
An especially terrible underground fire in a coal mine near the little town
of Cherry in the Northern Illinois coal fields. How it happened. Visit the awesome
monument erected by the UMW in the Cherry cemetery.
The
Union Miners' Cemetery
The only union-owned cemetery in the country, and the fascinating story of why
it came to be. Mother Jones is buried there.
Early
Days of Coal Mining in Northern Illinois
An account of issues, events, and personalities associated with coal mining
in the latter part of the 19th century to early 20th. Did you know that John
L. Lewis worked in the northern fields?
Virden
Centennial
A celebration held October 11, 1998 marks the
centennial of the Battle of Virden
John
Mitchell
He rose from boy laborer in the mines to become the president of the United
Mine Workers of America.
When
Women Were Knights
In the 19th century, the Knights of Labor adopt equal rights in the union
for women.
The
Chicago Stockyards on the Eve of the CIO
Chicago as an industrial center with a diverse work force but ready to embrace
industrial unionism when the Congress of Industrial Organizations brought the
message.
Mary
E. McDowell, Angel of the Stockyards
McDowell headed the settlement house in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of
Chicago. A contemporary of Jane Addams.
May
-- Labor History Month
A list of historical events that happened in the month of May.
First
Labor Day Parade
An account of the labor parade in New York City (and the secret reason why it
was held) which became the first Labor Day Parade.
Live
Off Work, Not Off Workers
A serious Labor Day Address made by the President of Southwest Missouri State
University, Dr. John Keiser.
Jacqueline
B. Vaughn
A tribute to the life of the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, now deceased.
Samuel
Gompers
Thumb nail sketch of the career of the founding president of the AFL-CIO.
Rabbi
Biographical sketch of Rabbi Jacob Weinstein and his connections with the cause
of labor.
When
Art Speaks Labor's Language
A report on the 1998 Union Hall of Honor Dinner.
2003 Union Hall of Honors Dinner
This dinner celebrated the one hundreth anniversary of the .
2002 Union Hall of Honors Dinner
This celebration included a presentation by Elliot Gorn, author of Mother Jones, The Most Dangerous Woman in America.
Bibliography
of Women's Labor History
List of resources on Women in labor history.
The Illinois Labor History Society
28 E. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 663-4107