Today in Labor History Mar 3 Largest slave auction in U.S. history, Seamen’s Act due to Titanic, mor

[Omaha Steve]

March 3

March 3, 1859 - The largest recorded slave auction in U.S. history took place at a Georgia plantation. More than 400 men, women and children formerly held by Pierce M. Butler were auctioned in order to pay debts incurred in gambling and the financial crash of 1857-58.

Read more about the auction and slavery in the United States at the Library of Congress website:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar03.html

Workday editor's note: The Pierce M. Butler cited above should not be confused with the Pierce Butler born in Northfield, MInn., in 1866, who went on to become a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Birth date in Coshocton, Ohio of William Green, a coal miner who was to succeed Samuel Gompers as president of the American Federation of Labor, serving in the role from 1924 to 1952. He held the post until his death, to be succeeded by George Meany - 1873


Congress approves the Seamen’s Act, providing the merchant marine with rights similar to those gained by factory workers. Action on the law was prompted by the sinking of the Titanic three years earlier. Among other gains: working hours were limited to 56 per week; guaranteed minimum standards of cleanliness and safety were put in place - 1915

The Davis-Bacon Act took effect today. It orders contractors on federally financed or assisted construction projects to pay wage rates equal to those prevailing in local construction trades - 1931

Labor history found here:http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_03_3_2011 & here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history