December 31
December 31, 1890 - Ellis Island opened for operation in New York City, a portal for millions of immigrants to the United States. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation maintain a free database on the many who entered through the port. It can be accessed at
http://www.ellisisland.org/60,000 unemployed workers rally at a Pittsburgh stadium - 1931
United Mine Workers reformer Joseph "Jock" Yablonski, his wife and daughter are murdered by hitmen hired by union president Tony Boyle, who was to be convicted of the crime and eventually die in prison - 1969
OSHA adopts a grain handling facilities standard to protect 155,000 workers at nearly 24,000 grain elevators from the risk of fire and explosion from highly combustible grain dust - 1987
Labor history found here:
http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here:
http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_12_31_2010