Today in Labor History August 11th, 2026

 

Police in the Bay Area confront members of Kelly’s Industrial Army as they were forming for the long trip to Washington. More than 1000 would head out on commandeered freight trains.

Federal troops drove over 1,200 jobless workers from the nation’s capital. Led by unemployed activist Charles “Hobo” Kelley and Jacob Coxey, they camped in Washington D.C. starting in July. Kelley’s Hobo Army included a young journalist named Jack London and a young miner-cowboy named Big Bill Haywood. Frank Baun was an observer of the protest and some say it influenced his Wizard of Oz, with the Scarecrow representing the American farmer, the Tin Man representing industrial workers and the Cowardly Lion representing William Jenning Bryan, all marching on Washington (Oz) to demand redress from the president (the Wizard). 650 miners, led by a “General” Hogan, captured a Northern Pacific train at Butte, Montana, en route to the protest. The Feds caught up with them in Billings, forcing a surrender.  A few eventually made it to Washington. – 1894

One hundred “platform men” employed by the privately-owned United Railroads streetcar service in San Francisco abandoned their streetcars, tying up many of the main lines in and out of the city center. – 1917

Andrew Carnegie, the richest and most successful late-19th-century capitalist, died on this day in New York (and Good Riddance!). Andrew Carnegie was a notorious union-buster and slave-driver and was infamous for his role in crushing the Homestead strike of 1892. Carnegie mills produced one-quarter of the nation’s steel by the earlier 20th century, and his annual profits were $25 million. – 1919

The International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union received a Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) charter. – 1937

Maine lobster fishers formed a local of the Machinists Union as they face a 40-year low price for their catches and other issues. By October, the New York Times had reported it had 600 members, 240 of them dues-payers. – 2013

Important Events From This day in History August 11th

 

11 Aug, 1965 Watts Riots

1965 : Race riots begin in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. By the end of the riots the following week 34 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured.

11 Aug, 1904 U.S.A. Presidential Candidate

1904 : At his home in Rosemount, democrat Judge A.B. Parker was formally appointed as a presidential candidate. He accepted the nomination and gave a thirty minute speech to a crowd of 600 people who clapped enthusiastically at some of his comments and opinions.

11 Aug, 1920 Russia Food Shortage

1920 : In the Soviet Union there was a shortage of food and clothing. The specter of starvation stalks threateningly as far reaches give up their cry for the necessities of life, from a people who are forced to heed the demands of want.” A journalist who went across Russia noticed people were in a state of starvation from the Chinese border all across the country. Some train employees were dressed in rags with sandals made out of tree bark.

11 Aug, 1929 U.S.A. Babe Ruth

1929 : Babe Ruth became the first player in the history of baseball to hit 500 home runs.

11 Aug, 1934 U.S.A. Flood

1934 : Sun-scorched Kentucky experienced a flood temporarily. Farmers were hoping that this wet weather would put an end to the triple digit temperatures and drought. Apparently, the rain storm was a temporary convergence of hot air from the northern central states and cool air from central Canada and it lasted just a short time.

11 Aug, 1934 U.S.A. Alcatraz

August 11, 1934 : The Prisoners that are considered the most dangerous are sent to Alcatraz " The Rock " because it is considered to be one of the hardest prisons in the world to escape from due to the strong tides.

11 Aug, 1944 Philippines B29 Bombers

1944 : The Allies pounded away at the Philippines, bombed Japan with B29 planes, and liberated Guam. Super-Fortress planes flew out of China and bombed Nagasaki’s aircraft factory. Other parts of Japan were also bombed. Reports out of Tokyo said, “the manner in which the enemy carried out the attacks was extremely fierce.”

11 Aug, 1956 Control of the Suez Canal

1956 : At the Federation of Arab Trade Union meeting, President of Egypt Garnal Abdel Nasser, asserted that he wanted to have control of the Suez Canal and revive Arab nationalism. The union agreed that if Britain or France attacked Egypt, then Arabs would blow up Western military bases and oil rigs.

11 Aug, 1967 Cuba Violence

1967 : In Havana, Cuba, President Fidel Castro spoke to the Latin American Solidarity Organization (LASO). Although the conference was outwardly peaceful, violence erupted behind the scenes as Cuban and Russian forces disagreed over how to proceed with the revolution in Cuba. All 165 LASO participants expressed anti- American sentiments and accused Venezuela’s government of treason.

11 Aug, 1971 Britain Admiral's Cup

1971 : The British Admiral's Cup team wins the Admiral's Cup beating the United States (Previous holders) into 2nd place and Australia into third place. The British Prime Minister Edward Heath was the captain of the British team.

11 Aug, 1974 U.S.A. “At Long Last Love”

1974 : Big-time producer/director Peter Bogdanovich who was famous for “Paper Moon” and “The Last Picture Show” is now directing “At Long Last Love.” The musical is set in the 1930s and includes stars such as Burt Reynolds, Cybill Shepherd, and Madeline Kahn. It will be produced in Santa Anita in Arcadia a long time horse racing center.

11 Aug, 1984 Olympics Mary Decker / Zola Budd Trip

1984 : The talented controversial runner from South Africa (currently banned from Olympic competition due to apartheid policies) Zola Budd who was representing the British Team (after fast track British citizenship) at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles has caused further controversy during the final of the 3,000 meters when she collides with the American favorite Mary Decker causing the American athlete to fall and drop out of the race, the American crowd began booing and Zola Budd who many believed would be a medal winner together with Mary Decker came in seventh place.

11 Aug, 1985 University Costs Increase Faster Than Inflation

1985 : University costs for American students have gone up by 7% annually which is more than the inflation rate. The average college costs are $9,659 for those who stay in residence. However, Bennington College in Vermont is the most expensive costing $17,210.

11 Aug, 1991 U.S.A. 911 Emergency Number

1991 : The 911 emergency number, which brings police and paramedics to the sick or injured person’s side is being pioneered in Schaumburg. Other northwestern cities will also participate to test out the new system and the number is very easy to remember.

11 Aug, 1992 U.S.A. Mall of America

1992 : The Mall of America with 2.5 million sq ft of retail space over four floors and with more than 500 shops, opened in Bloomington, Minn. The Mall Of America also includes an indoor amusement park including roller coasters and an Aquarium.

11 Aug, 1999 Total Eclipse of the Sun

1999 : The total eclipse of the sun is seen around beginning in the Atlantic, a few hundred miles east of Boston, and seen throughout Europe, Asia, The Middle East, below is a small image of the path of the eclipse.

11 Aug, 2002 Tornado Salt Lake City

2002 : A rare tornado has struck Salt Lake City, Utah causing severe damage in the city with at least one death reported. The tornado struck the downtown area of Salt Lake City with winds exceeding 100 mph. The US has a reported 1,000 to 2,000 tornado touchdowns power year but of those very few strike city center's and even less in Utah.

11 Aug, 2002 US Airways

2002 : US Airways who were badly affected following the Washington-Reagan airport's extended closure following the September 11th terrorist attacks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, they were given a government guaranteed loan through the Air Transportation Stabilization Board and able to exit bankruptcy the following year.

11 Aug, 2005 Ford Hybrid Escape Announced

2005 : Responding to concerns about gas guzzling cars, Ford has announced its first hybrid car called the Ford Escape Hybrid. In urban traffic this car is capable of running completely on its electric power. The Mountain Democrat reports, “On top of the 133 hp of the Escape Hybrid is a 94 hp at 3,000-5,000 rpm electric motor which can assist the gas motor, operating by itself at low speeds and act(ing) as a generator to recharge the Ni-Cad battery pack. Combined, the engine and motor produce 155 hp.

11 Aug, 2006 Mike Douglas Dies

August 11, 2006 : The popular television host, Mike Douglas died on this day, the same day as his birthday. Mike Douglas hosted a talk show that was widely popular in the Sixties and 1970s and featured such guests as John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, and a two-year old Tiger Woods. His show ran for 21 years.

11 Aug, 2007 Sierra Leone Elections

2007 : The African nation of Sierra Leone held its second major election since the end of the country’s civil war in 2002. The elections for the president and members of parliament marked a sense of growing stability for the country.

11 Aug, 2008 Iraq King of Jordan Visit

2008 : The King of Jordan became the first Arab head of state to visit Iraq since 2003 after the US invasion and overthrow of Saddam Hussein. King Abdullah talked with the prime minister and vice-president of Iraq.

11 Aug, 2012 Romney Names Paul Ryan as Running Mate

2012 : The Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced that US Congressman Paul Ryan from Wisconsin would be his running mate for the 2012 election. Ryan is the chairman of the House's budget committee and is known for being very conservative.

11 Aug, 2013 Mali Presidential Run-Off Election

August 11, 2013 : Mali citizens voted in a presidential run-off election with the aim of restoring democracy to the country and ending over a year of instability. The former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita faced off against Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won the election with an overwhelming majority.

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Today in Labor History August 10 2026

 Mike Quill

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) was founded at a meeting in Chicago attended by 24 activists from across the country. It is now the largest pilot union with over 53,000 members in 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. The ALPA won its first contract in 1939, signing a deal with American Airlines. – 1931.

Hundreds of Transport Workers Union members descended on a New York City courthouse, offering their own money to bail out their president Mike Quill , and four other union leaders arrested while making their way through Grand Central Station to union headquarters after picketing the IRT offices in lower Manhattan. – 1935

President Roosevelt signed amendments to the 1935 Social Security Act, broadening the program to include dependents and survivors’ benefits. – 1939

Construction on the St. Lawrence Seaway began. Ultimately 22,000 workers spent five years building the 2,342-mile route, including 15 locks, from the Atlantic to the northernmost part of the Great Lakes. – 1954

I.W. Abel died on this day, at age 79. Abel was the president of the United Steelworkers of America from 1965 to 1977. – 1987

President Barack Obama signed a $26 billion bill designed to protect 300,000 teachers, police and others from layoffs spurred by budgetary crises in states hard-hit by the Great Recession. – 2010

Important Events From This day in History August 10

 

 

10 Aug, 1990 Magellan Space Craft

Aug 10th, 1990 : The Magellan spacecraft begins it's orbit of the planet Venus after a 15-month journey from Earth. The space craft spent the next four years mapping Venus, producing a detailed map of 99% of the planet.

10 Aug, 1897 Automobile Club of Great Britain

1897 : The first ever Auto Club is formed as the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, later known as the (RAC) Royal Automobile Club.

10 Aug, 1903 U.S.A. Master Forger

1903 : Charles Becker, master forger, referred to as “the Dutchman” will be released from San Quentin prison. Becker was sentenced to seven years for counterfeiting $22,000. Apparently, he was a model prisoner who did artwork in prison. Becker is considered to be the most masterful criminal in forty years.

10 Aug, 1921 Franklin D. Roosevelt Polio

1921 : While staying on holiday at his summer home on the Canadian island of Campobello, Franklin D. Roosevelt at 39 years old suffers from the first signs of Polio (paralytic poliomyelitis) during the next 7 days the paralysis spreads over the rest of his body. This was unusual even for the time because most cases of Polio were found in children, and some believe that it was wrongly diagnosed, but the future president did believe it was Polio and in later life set up "The March Of Dimes Foundation" to search for a cure for the disease. It would be 30 years before a vaccine was developed that would help eradicate the disease.

10 Aug, 1921 U.S.A. Bootleggers

1921 : During prohibition a large ring of bootleggers was discovered in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. The bootleggers hid their illegal operations under the guise of being a “medicinal manufacturers” company. Another large ring of criminals was discovered in Ohio and Illinois. This bootlegging organization hid their illicit activities under the cover of being a flavoring extract company.

10 Aug, 1936 U.S.A. Lincoln Steffens

1936 : Seventy year old famous journalist Lincoln Steffens died in California of a heart ailment. He started his career in 1902 as editor of McClure’s magazine. President Theodore Roosevelt described Steffen’s style of writing as “muck raking”. However, Steffen tackled subjects like social injustice and corruption in public and private places.

10 Aug, 1942 Rioting Follows Arrest of Ghandi

1942 : In India rioting and strikes occurred in Bombay and Delhi over the arrest of Mohandas K. Ghandi who advocated non-violent protests. Japan encouraged Indians to fight for their liberty from Britain and reported that they were standing on the India-Burma border ready to help liberate India.

10 Aug, 1945 Japan Surrender Terms

1945 : Following the Atomic bombs Japan announced its willingness to surrender to Allies provided that the status of their Emperor Hirohito remains unchanged.

10 Aug, 1954 U.S.A. St. Lawrence Seaway

1954 : Construction on the St. Lawrence Seaway began at Massena, New York.

10 Aug, 1957 U.S.A. “Protective Milk”

August 10, 1957 : Dr. W.E. Peterson feels confident that the invention of “protective milk” can cure a variety of human illnesses such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, and even the common cold. The doctor has been doing experiments by injecting bacteria into cow’s udders to produce immunity in those who consume the milk. However, it has not yet been tried out on large numbers of people.

10 Aug, 1969 Franc Devalued By 12 1/2%

1969 : France has devalued its currency, the franc, by 12 1/2 %. This has produced depression in the country, but elation among tourists. Labor officials and the opposition have criticized President Charles de Gaulle’s financial policies for bringing France to this state.

10 Aug, 1974 U.S.A. Gerald Ford

1974 : In the wake of scandal, Richard Nixon’s resignation was accepted by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Gerald Ford stepped into the oval office. Ford promised a government with honesty, and transparency.

10 Aug, 1977 Son of Sam Arrested

1977 : The " Son Of Sam " Serial killer David Berkowitz, a 24-year-old postal worker, was arrested after admitting that he was Son of Sam, the New York City serial killer.

10 Aug, 1986 Lebanon Terry Anderson

August 10, 1986 : In Beirut, Lebanon one of the hostages, Terry Anderson aged 38, was reported to be ill and in bed. Anderson was an American journalist with The Associated Press. He was taken prisoner on March 16th, 1985. White House officials could not confirm the report of his illness.

10 Aug, 1999 Russia Vladamir Putin

1999 : Vladimir Putin was newly installed as acting prime minister in Russia. However, he was quickly pressed into service by Boris Yeltsin to help suppress Islamic fundamentalists in the south of Russia. Putin was a former KGB officer. Yetsin has reshuffled the cabinet over four times in less than a year and a half, which has raised concerns about his fitness to lead.

Today in Labor History August 9, 2026

 The Great Railway Strike

The Knights of Labor went on strike at the New York Central railroad, ultimately to be defeated by scabbing. – 1890

Nine men and one woman, custodians who saw the need to gain protections for themselves and other classified employees,  met in Oakland, Calif. to form what was to become the 230,000-member California School Employees Association, representing school support staff throughout the state. – 1927

The United Papermakers & Paperworkers merged with the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite & Paper Mill Workers of the US & Canada to become the United Paperworkers International Union, now a division of the Steelworkers Union. – 1972

A 58-hour walkout by 73,000 Bell Atlantic workers from 13 states ended in victory. – 1998

Important Events From This day in History August 9

 

 

1969 Sharon Tate Found Murdered

1969 : Five people, including actress Sharon Tate, were found murdered in the wealthy Bel Air suburb of the city Los Angeles, California, Cult leader Charles Manson and several of his followers were later convicted of the killings.

1902 England Edward VII

1902 : Edward VII, the son of Queen Victoria, was crowned as the new King of England.

1904 U.S.A. Stagecoach

1904 : In Yellowstone Park a stagecoach was held up by a couple of young ladies on horseback who had been camping in the area. One was the daughter of a prominent New York newspaper man. The ladies, who were in disguise, got the passengers to give up their valuables, but it turned out that the hold up was a hoax. They had prearranged with the coach driver to stop the coach so that they could carry out the practical joke. Some of the passengers were not amused and wanted to press charges, but they all got their possessions back and decided not to do so.

1925 Ku Klux Klan Mass Meeting Washington

1925 : Ku Klux Klan members flooded Washington in the thousands in the summer of 1925 Pennsylvania Avenue was awash in white robes and official Klansmen asserted that they had met their quota of 50,000 marchers. As they awaited the speeches of high ranking Klan officials rain, thunder, and lightening broke up the crowd that met on Saturday. However, many stayed for meetings on Sunday. They went to the tomb of the unknown soldier and burned a gigantic cross. A huge number of women, garbed in white robes, marched alongside of the men.

1933 U.S.A. Cotton Crop

1933 : The cotton crop was 12,314,000 bales less than the year before and the price per bale dropped $1.50. Ten thousand three hundred and four acres of cotton had been plowed under in a cotton reduction program making production 74.2% less than normal.

1936 Germany Jesse Owens

1936 : Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal as part of the US 4 x 100 meter relay team having already won the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. This follows his amazing feat one year earlier when he broke three world records in the space of 45 minutes at the Big Ten meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

More about Jesse Owens

1941 U.S.A. Silk Stockings

1941 : Sometimes stocking up on scarce commodities doesn’t pay, as Mrs. E. Petero of Prospect Park found out. The woman bought seven pairs of silk stockings and put them in her car. Then she went to the drugstore. When she returned to her vehicle she found that her hosiery had been heisted.

1945 Atom Bomb Dropped On Nagasaki

1945 : The United States dropped its second atomic bomb killing more than 70,000 people in Nagasaki, Japan. The first bomb had been dropped 3 days earlier on Hiroshima. Six days later on August 15, Japan announced its surrender effectively ending World War II. Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 2.

1952 U.S.A. Wife Murders Husband

1952 : Dan Webster Shattles was an ex-Marine with a femme fatale for a wife. On more than one occasion Mrs. Shattles shot at her husband. In 1949 she shot him on a street corner and caused superficial wounds. However, there were other occasions when she tried to shoot him as well. By October, 1951 Mr. Shattles complained to police that his wife, who was a pretty brunette, had it in for him. The third shot was fatal. As her husband lay sleeping on the couch Mrs. Shattles shot him in the head. She has been charged on suspicion of murder. Her husband ran a coffee company.

1967 Vietnam American Helicopter Attack

1967 : In Vietnam a company of American helicopters attacked a North Vietnamese military tunnel and exchanged heavy fire. Three U.S. helicopters were shot down and two hit in the Song Re valley, some 330 miles from Saigon. This fierce engagement ended a lull in the war.

1974 U.S.A. Gerald Ford

1974 : Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president of the United States after the Watergate Affair and President Richard Nixon resigns.

1978 U.S.A. Inflation

1978 : Inflation rates rose by 1.1% in just one month as well as steeply rising fuel costs. Gas and heating oil had increased in price dramatically. Gas prices this year exceeded the July 1978 prices by 38.9% and heating fuel was 51.8% higher. Yearly Inflation Rate for 1978 in the USA was 7.62% Yearly Inflation Rate for 1978 in Great Britain was 8.3% To put this in perspective 1975 Inflation UK was 24.2% and 1979 in USA was 11.2%

1979 Brighton Nudist Beach Opens

1979 : Brighton on the south coast becomes the first major resort in Britain to officially set aside a 200-yard stretch of its beach for nudists, the nudist beach will be open to the public for next summer.

1987 Libya Col. Moanmmar Gadhafi

1987 : Italian sources claim that Col. Moanmmar Gadhafi, president of Libya tied the knot . His bride who is a daughter of oil baron Adnan Khashoggi, was 25 years old and named Nabila. This is Gadhafi’s third marriage and it is not certain whether or not he is divorced from wife number two.

1994 O.J. Simpson Double Murder Trial

1994 : Amid fear that the O.J. Simpson trial would detract from the November election, the media frenzy continued. Simpson, a famous football player and T.V. personality was being tried for double murder. He was accused of slashing to death Nicole Brown Simpson and her boyfriend Ronald Goldman. At the end of the trial O.J. Simpson is found innocent. Find out more about History of American Football including history, teams, growth, and the modern game.

1995 U.S.A. Jerry Garcia

1995 : Jerry Garcia the lead guitarist and vocalist of the rock band "The Grateful Dead." is found dead in his room at a rehabilitation clinic (Serenity Knolls Treatment Center) he had checked into earlier, the cause of death on the death certificate was "Heart Attack." He had checked into the center for problems with tobacco, drug addiction, weight problems, and sleep apnea, all of which may have contributed to his heart attack.

2006 U.S.A. Bruce Willis

2006 : Bruce Willis, a famous actor, is going to sue his childhood friend for one million dollars. Bruce DiMattia threatened to reveal damaging secrets about Willis unless the latter paid him $100,000 and bought him a new car. DiMattia lived in a house owned by Willis’ for free from 2002-2006. Willis employed DiMattia to manage his videos, photographs, and memorabilia. Apparently, DiMattia refused to leave the premises and has possession of important pictures and possessions that belong to Willis.

2006 Lieberman Files To Run as Independent

2006 : The Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman officially filed to run for the Senate in the 2006 election as an independent after he lost his party’s primary. Lieberman lost the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont went on to win the election in November of 2006.

2008 Georgia Violence Erupts

2008 : Further violence erupts in the South Ossetia region of Georgia when Russian military forces respond to perceived aggression by the Georgian army when it tried to take control of the Russian supported break away region of South Ossetia.

2011 Philadelphia Introduces Curfew

2011 : The US city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania instituted a curfew after a series of violent flash-mobs occurred in the city. The measures put in place by Mayor Michael Nutter would carry penalties for minors and their parents who violate the curfew.

2012 Texting Champion Holds On to Title

2012 : Seventeen year old Austin Weirschke won the National Texting Competition for the second time and held onto the title of fastest texter. He won $50,000 in prize money and stated that he would put the money towards college.

2013 Diplomats Withdrawn from Pakistan Consulate

2013 : The United States withdrew its non-essential employees from the consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. The move was done after the State Department declared there was a credible threat to the consulate. The US also issued a travel warning requesting that US citizens hold off on traveling within Pakistan.

Today in Labor History August 7, 2026

 Elizabeth Gurley Flynn – The Rebel Girl

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was born on this day in Concord, New Hampshire. Flynn was a labor leader, activist, and feminist who played a leading role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Flynn was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and visible proponent of women’s rights, birth control, and women’s suffrage. She joined the Communist Party USA in 1936 and in 1961 became its chairwoman. She died during a visit to the Soviet Union, where she was accorded a state funeral. – 1890

Eugene Debs and three other leaders of the American Railway Union, were arrested after the Pullman Strike. – 1894

The Actors’ Equity Association was recognized by producers after stagehands honored their picket lines, shutting down almost every professional stage production in the country. Before unionizing, it was common practice for actors to pay for their own costumes, rehearse long hours without pay, and be fired without notice. – 1919

One thousand miners presented West Virginia Governor Ephraim Morgan with a resolution calling for an end to martial law in Mingo County. Throughout the year in  1921, West Virginia miners had been fighting with mine guards, police, hired thugs and federal troops, including the Matewan massacre and the Battle of Blair Mountain. – 1921

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) led a strike at the Boulder Canyon Project. – 1931

The United Slate, Tile & Composition Roofers, Damp & Waterproof Workers Association changed its name to Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers. – 1978

Some 675,000 employees struck at AT&T Corporation for 22 days, winning wages, job security, pension plan changes and better health insurance. It was the last time the Communication Workers of America negotiated at one table for all its Bell System members. Divestiture came a few months later. – 1983

Television writers, members of The Writers Guild of America, ended a 22-week strike with a compromise settlement. – 1988

Important Events From This day in History August 7

 

 

1947 Polynesia Kon-Tiki Expedition

1947 : The Kon-Tiki expedition headed by Thor Heyerdahl, which had carried a six-man crew aboard a balsa wood raft from Peru 3,770 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean, crashed into a reef in at Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands on a Polynesian archipelago after being at sea for 101 days since April 28th.

1935 England Flying Ant Plaque

1935 : Flying ants were plaguing London, England, even stopping a tennis tournament. Heaps of the noxious insects were invading pantries and piling up on doorsteps. Authorities claim that this was the worst attack of pestilence in a quarter of a century.

1945 Japan Nuclear Bomb Comment

1945 : Japanese imperial headquarters stated a few new type bombs had been dropped, causing considerable damage. The US confirmed it was a single bomb which later is confirmed to have destroyed 60 percent of the City of Hiroshima including practically all living things, human and animal burned to death by the tremendous heat and pressure engendered by the blast.

1948 Truman Government Accused of Un-American Activities

1948 : Representative, McDowell a member of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, claimed that the Truman government shipped 1,300 tons of uranium to the Soviet Union in 1945. McDowell thought that the Soviets had a spy ring sabotaging the United States government and that the uranium was going to be used for military purposes. He also accused Canada of shipping 500 pounds of uranium nitrate and 500 pounds of black uranium to Moscow. The Soviets claimed the radio-active material was for medical and research purposes.

1959 Space Explorer 6

1959 : Explorer 6 is launched hoping to take the first satellite photographs of Earth from an unmanned spacecraft Explorer 6. On August 14 this photograph was taken:

 The photograph was later released to the worlds press by NASA in September. It was of Mexico captured by Explorer 6 as it raced westward over the earth at speeds in excess of 20,000 miles an hour.

One of the visitors to The People History (Thanks J.S) pointed out that I had mistakenly called the photo above "The First Photo From Space" this was incorrect, the first photo from space was taken from a V2 Rocket On October 24, 1946 launched from the White Sands Missile Range:

1957 U.S.A. Laurel and Hardy

1957 : For twenty years the Laurel and Hardy comedy team was wildly popular, doing over 200 slap stick comedy routines. Oliver Hardy passed away today in North Hollywood at the home of his mother-in-law. He was 65 years old and had been paralyzed by a stroke since last September 12. The stroke left him unable to speak. Hardy was described as “an elephant on tippy-toe.”

1958 U.S.A. Arthur Miller

1958 : The playwright Arthur Miller has been cleared of contempt of court by the Court of Appeals for refusing to provide the names of alleged Communist writers with whom he had attended meetings with in New York in 1947 to the House of Un-American Activities Committee.

1960 Protests Over White Only Restaurants

1960 : In Oklahoma city more than 200 black protesters had a sit-in to protest the ban on blacks eating at white-only restaurants. The protesters marched from Calvary Baptist Church to the downtown area in 90 degree temperatures. Although the group maintained a policy of non-violence, the leader Mrs. Luper decided that if the sit-in failed the next step would be a boycott of Oklahoma city businesses.

1963 President John F. Kennedy Baby

1963 : Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy, gave birth to a son today named Patrick Bouvier Kennedy.

1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 : Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed which will allow President Lyndon B. Johnson authorization for increased use of military force in Southeast Asia, without a formal declaration of war by Congress. The resolution is in response to the attack by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats on the US Destroyer Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin on August 2.

1972 Uganda Expels Asians From Country

1972 : The Ugandan leader, Idi Amin, has ordered most Asians (estimated to be 60,000) to leave the country of Uganda within 90 days or face the consequences. Most Asians in Uganda are British Passport Holders and are expected to move to the UK many have been in the country for two generations and are the backbone to the Ugandan economy running local shops and other businesses, the reasons for the expulsions are the resentment by the black majority over their success. When the Asians were thrown out 30,000 did emigrate to Britain but arrived with no money as they were not compensated for their businesses.

1974 U.S.A. Philippe Petit

1974 : French stunt man Philippe Petit walked a tightrope between the twin towers of the nearly completed New York's World Trade Center. The stunt was illegal and when he went to court because of the news coverage and public appreciation he was ordered "to perform a show for the children of New York City" and later was also presented with a lifetime pass to the Twin Towers' Observation Deck by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

1978 Vatican Pope Paul VI Dies

1978 : Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80. He had been the pontiff for the last 15 years, guiding over 500 million Catholics. His body will be transported to the Vatican and nine days of mourning will be observed. The pope will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Today in Labor History August 6, 2026

 The Cigar Makers’ International Union of America merged with the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union. – 1974

The American Railway Supervisors Association merged with the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees. – 1980

The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of the US & Canada merged with the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees. – 1986

Workers at Verizon, the nation’s largest local telephone company, launched what was to become an 18-day strike over working conditions and union representation. Nearly 85,000 unionized Verizon workers joined the picket line. – 2000

Important Events From This day in History August 6

 

 

6 Aug, 1945 Nuclear Bomb Hiroshima

1945 : An atomic bomb was used containing more power than 12,000 tons of TNT and producing more than 2,000 times the blast of the most powerful bomb ever dropped before was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare. The bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" with 130 pounds of uranium-235 produced the equivalent to about 13 kilotons of TNT. On August 9, 1945, America dropped the second Atom bomb on Nagasaki effectively ending the war when Japan announced their surrender.

6 Aug, 1904 U.S.A. President Theodore Roosevelt

1904 : President Theodore Roosevelt was officially notified about his nomination for re-election by the Republican party. The official ceremony took place at Sagamore Hill where Roosevelt had his rural residence. The president had been in the White House for three years.

6 Aug, 1916 U.S.A. Watermelons

1916 : Watermelons have proved to be the bane of existence for army officials, and have been banned by military brass in El Passo. Evidently, the offending melons have rinds which cannot be burned or properly disposed of, causing a plague of flies in the camp. Army fly experts warn that flies can breed disease.

6 Aug, 1925 U.S.A. Public Phone Booths

1925 : With the growing numbers of public phone booths appearing in general stores around the country many are complaining that they do not believe the phone booths are in the public interest, and should not be in places where the public wish to shop.

6 Aug, 1926 Ederle Swims English Channe

1926 : The American Gold Medalist swimmer (Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle) became the first woman to swim the English Channel from Cap Griz-Nez, France to Dover, England in 14 hours and 39 minutes breaking the previous record set by British Navy Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 . Due to the extreme cold water she had covered her body in lard and petroleum jelly to insulate her from the cold waters of the Channel.

6 Aug, 1935 U.S.A. Cryogenics

1935 : In Hollywood, California Dr. Ralph Willard, a doctor who came from the state of Georgia in Russia, has successfully frozen a monkey named Jekal and brought it back to life. The doctor has also frozen guinea pigs and resuscitated them. However, when he wanted to experiment on dogs howls of protest came from humane societies.

6 Aug, 1940 Belgium Famine

1940 : Belgium has appealed to the US for help following A major famine in Belgium. Belgian exports 75 per cent of her wheat. Present supplies with severe rationing -- 25 grams, or half a pound of bread per person per day – will last until September 1 or at least early October.” All industrial activity had stopped and 2,300,000 Belgians were refugees in France, displaced by the German army.

6 Aug, 1951 Korea U.S. Eighth Army

1951 : A fourth straight day of fighting occurred between the allies and Korean forces in western Korea. The U.S. Eighth Army engaged the enemy at dawn and Korean forces launched a counter attack.

6 Aug, 1961 USSR Major Gherman Titov

August 6, 1961 : The Soviet Vostok II spacecraft with Major Gherman Titov spends a full day in orbit over the Earth.

6 Aug, 1965 U.S.A. Voting Rights Act

1965 : President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act, guaranteeing African Americans the right to vote and making it illegal to impose restrictions on federal, state and local elections that were designed to disenfranchise black voters.

6 Aug, 1965 Beatles Release the Album "Help!"

1965 : The Beatles release the soundtrack album "Help!" in 1965 in the UK from the film of the same name. Help! is the Beatles 5th album released and includes the following tracks:

Side One:

"Help!"

"The Night Before"

"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

"I Need You"

"Another Girl"

"You're Going to Lose That Girl"

"Ticket to Ride"

Side Two:

"Act Naturally"

"It's Only Love"

"You Like Me Too Much"

"Tell Me What You See"

"I've Just Seen a Face"

"Yesterday"

"Dizzy Miss Lizzy"

6 Aug, 1969 Japan 25 years Since Bomb Dropped

1969 : In the city of Hiroshima, Japanese ceremonies were held commemorating the 25th anniversary of dropping the H-bomb when 100,000 Japanese were killed. The attack on Hiroshima was the first time that an atomic bomb had been used in warfare. Shinto and Christian memorial services were held across the city and a minute of silence was observed. The atomic bomb was dropped by Americans on August 6, 1945. On August 6, 1969 antinuclear protests broke out in Hiroshima led by Japanese socialists and communists.

6 Aug, 1971 England Chay Blyth

August 6, 1971 : Chay Blyth docks his yacht British Steel at the Hamble in Hampshire on the south coast after a voyage of 292 days and becomes the first man to sail round the world non-stop in the "wrong" direction - east to west - against the prevailing winds and currents.

6 Aug, 1977 Attempt To Cut Foreign Oil Use

1977 : President Carter got approval in the house for a new energy bill which called for a move away from foreign oil and a more efficient use of energy by Americans. The goal was to save 2-3 million barrels a day. Some opposition was felt in the senate, especially around issues like taxing crude oil and natural gas.

6 Aug, 1978 Italy Pope Paul VI

1978 : Pope Paul VI, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 15 years, died after suffering a major heart attack.

6 Aug, 1985 Israel Suicide Bomber

1985 : In Tel Aviv, Israel, a suicide bomber astride a donkey exploded near a pro-Israeli site in Southern Lebanon. According to Israel Army Radio both the burrow and the bomber were killed and one Lebanese person was wounded.

6 Aug, 1997 Microsoft Buys Stake in Apple Computers

1997 : Microsoft buys a minority stake in struggling Apple Computers for $150 million and they agree to share technology. The deal helped Apple on Wall Street, sending the company's stock up to close at its highest price in over a year. Microsoft no longer owns Apple stock, but this was an important moment in the development of Apple as a major corporation.

"Comments Regarding The Pfaffinger Foundation"

Upon my approaching Pfaffinger Foundation for a reimbursement for purchase of hearing aides I was informed that since I had already paid for them it was disqualified from reimbursement and that was a pre need thing. My hearing was damaged from years working around the presses and being a group that maybe could help a former employee I guess I was just too naive and thought they would actually care but that’s not the case. I was informed that there’s just too many people taking advantage of the situation and since I was responsible enough to pay up front that they were concerned that maybe I was just tricking them. It never stated anywhere on site that you can’t pay up front and not be eligible for reimbursement. A costly lesson for me but they should be more clear about the rules.

Rural newspapers shut down in latest disappearance of local journalism

 

Facing deep financial troubles, News Media Corporation shut down 23 news operations in five states. The closures are just the latest in a trend contributing to news deserts in rural America. Stephanie Sy discussed what this means for the future of local news with Teri Finneman, a journalism professor at the University of Kansas and co-author of "Reviving Rural News."

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

 Newspaper rack graveyard

Here’s how newsrooms are working with influencers - Poynter

Having a crisis of confidence? You're not the only one - Journalism UK

At the Bronx River News, students practice journalism - E&P Magazine

E.W. Scripps to cut 268 jobs, launch 24/7 streaming model - TVNewsCheck

CherryRoad revives 135-year-old community newspaper - CherryRoad Media

Today in Labor History August 5, 2026

 

Using clubs, police routed 1.500 jobless men who had stormed the plant of the Fruit Growers Express Company in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, demanding jobs. – 1931

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Labor Board to enforce the right of collective bargaining. Ultimately declared illegal by the Supreme Court, it was replaced two years later by the National Labor Relations Board. – 1933

President Ronald Reagan fired the striking members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), declaring the work stoppage illegal. Reagan’s action crushed the union and set the tone for labor-management relations across the country for the ensuing 30 years, with employers beginning to take a tougher stance against unions and increasingly relying on strikebreakers and mass firings.  – 1981

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) took effect on this day. The first law signed by President Clinton, it required employers to provide employees job-protected and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. Qualified medical and family reasons include: personal or family illness, family military leave, pregnancy, adoption, or the foster care placement of a child. The FMLA is administered by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. – 1993

Important Events From This day in History August 5

 

 

5 Aug, 1962 U.S.A. Marilyn Monroe

1962 : Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bedroom, the death was ruled a suicide, as a bottle of empty sleeping pills was found near Monroe's body. Find More What happened in 1962.

5 Aug, 1920 Women’s’ Suffrage Movement

1920 : Senator Harding of Tennessee wired republican leaders to ask for support for the women’s’ suffrage movement in the legislature. The general assembly of Tennessee was on the brink of deciding whether it would support the cause or not. Senator Harding sent telegrams to two leading women in the suffrage movement -- Mrs.Carrie Chapman Catt and Mrs.George Milton -- telling them it looked hopeful for women getting the vote in Tennessee.

5 Aug, 1934 U.S.A. Dust Bowl Years

1934 : Oklahoma experienced a ravaging drought with temperatures reaching 117 degrees, killing both animals and humans. Ten thousand people in this state are on federal relief because of the drought. The cotton crop was only in fair condition. Pastures, crops, and orchards were scorched. Two thousand five hundred livestock were being bought a day by the government to prevent them from starving, however 30,000 beasts have already succumbed.

5 Aug, 1944 Poland Freedom Fighters

1944 : Polish freedom fighters liberate a German forced labor camp in Warsaw, freeing 348 Jewish prisoners, who join in a general uprising against the Germans.

5 Aug, 1901 Dowager Empress Frederick of Germany

1901 : Victoria, Dowager Empress Frederick of Germany has become gravely ill and many royal dignitaries are rushing to her sickbed. An official medical statement read, “The external disease from which her majesty is suffering, and which for years has been slowly increasing, has in the course of the last few weeks extended to the internal regions. Her majesty’s strength is diminishing rapidly … .”

5 Aug, 1947 Great Britain Asks US For Another Loan

1947 : Impoverished by World War II, Britain was looking to America in 1948 for financial help. Winston Churchill offered the Labor party support in appealing to the U.S. for another loan. He accused the British government of wasting the previous loan of $3,150,000 on non-essentials. Churchill pontificated, “There is no shame in one brave and faithful ally, deeply injured in the common struggle, asking for another to help him recover and stand upon his feet.”

5 Aug, 1948 Ecuador Earthquake

1948 : A deadly 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Ecuador killing 6,000 people and injuring another 20,000 . The quake hit high in the Andes Mountains, about 100 miles south of Quito. The worst-affected cities were Ambato, Guano, Pelileo, Patate and Pillaro, though the tremor caused serious damage over an area of 1,500 square miles. Landslides set off by the quake proved to be the most deadly feature of the disaster. Houses fell down hills and others were buried. Approximately 100,000 people lost their homes. The landslides also caused some flooding by changing water-flow patterns. Some of the victims lost their lives to drowning.

5 Aug, 1954 Terrible New Clothes Fashions

1954 : Col. John H. Dilley, a hardened warrior who distinguished himself in Africa during World War II, wasn’t scorned today because of his military advice. He was outspoken about his views on clothing worn by American women. Clothing, which he said looked awful. His forbidden list included halter tops, revealing bathing suits, shorts, strapless dresses, and even blue jeans. In the wake of his remarks some women became furious. One retorted that female freedom was at stake, not just clothing.

5 Aug, 1957 U.S.A. "American Bandstand"

1957 : "American Bandstand," which featured teenagers dancing to Top 40 chart music hosted by Dick Clark, makes its network debut on ABC. The show had been running as a local show since it was introduced on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV (Channel 6, now WPVI-TV) on October 7th, 1952 and ran until the show ended in 1989.

5 Aug, 1963 Soviet Union Test Ban Treaty

1963 : A partial nuclear test ban treaty was signed by the United States, Britain and Russia, the ban ends testing in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater.