The Meaning of ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’

On this Labor Day, Oliver Anthony from semi-rural Farmville, Virginia is having a moment, with his viral music video, "Rich Men North of Richmond." It was uploaded to YouTube on August 8, and became an immediate hit, shooting to the top of the Billboard charts, with as of this writing, 56 million views, and hundreds …

The Riddle of Labor Leader, Mob-Connected Jimmy Hoffa

James Riddle Hoffa (1913-1982) "was an American labor union leader who served as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1957 until 1971. From an early age, Hoffa was a union activist, and he became an important regional figure with the IBT by his mid-twenties." Wikipedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNfUo9AZxww 48 years later, Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance remains …

As Strikes Spread Through Europe, Americans Remain Relatively Placid. Why?

A railroad strike in Germany over low wages amid high inflation seems to garner sympathy from the German public. Israel's largest trade union group "has launched a strike across a broad swath of sectors, joining a surging protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the judiciary," NPR reported. French citizens angry at …

Recalling American Labor History and Personal Connections to Child Labor

On my Substack site for US Labor Day: Dramatic, Dark Moments in US Labor History. Industrial Revolution Created the Environment for Unionizing By Workers Who Felt Exploited. Frances Perkins, First Female Cabinet Member, FDR’s Secretary of Labor, Architect of Social Safety Net. Why No US Political Party for Labor? In contrast to Canada, Australia, Britain …

Child Labor Was Finally Banned in 1938 During FDR’s Presidency

Not until 1938 did Congress pass the Fair Labor Standards Act banning child labor, during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The most important ingredient in the movement to eliminate child labor was probably the photographs of children in terrible conditions performing menial labor to support their families. Robert Daniel: "There are occasions where history …

How Did Britain Avoid Revolution in 1848?

History Matters: "Loads of European countries had revolutions or wars in 1848 but the United Kingdom didn't. So why not?" Told in 3 minutes, 21 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFer-iqW8Cs

Andrew Carnegie, World’s Greatest Philanthropist…and Robber Baron?

Andrew Carnegie (1935-1919), a Scottish-born industrialist and philanthropist, "led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He became a leading philanthropist in the United States and in the British Empire." Wikipedia. "The Gilded Age Family That Gave It All Away." Forbes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbRtjN0gAk …

Frances Perkins, First Female Cabinet Member, FDR’s Secretary of Labor, Architect of Social Safety Net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-iXj7LC9Fo Frances Perkins (1880-1965) was a labor activist who helped Franklin Roosevelt achieve New Deal reforms. Boston College Historian Heather Cox Richardson recounts Perkins' career, beginning with the investigation into the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which killed 147 people. Click. Additional videos on Frances Perkins.

Gilded Age — Transition from Farm to Factory, from Local to National Economy and Media — Transformed America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeWE_FaIP6k PBS American Experience: "Meet the elite of the lavishly wealthy Gilded Age — and the struggling workers who challenged them. Learn more about our documentary, THE GILDED AGE, including a transcript and where to watch the full film: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe..." The series focuses on the titans of industrialization who used new technology and mass production …

Gilded Age: Excesses of ‘Robber Barons’ Sparked Progressive Era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6l6Ck4TKxo People may think corporations and wealthy business owners have too much power today, but there was a time in the 19th century -- from the 1870s through the 1890s -- when "robber barons" held monopolistic power and ruled over presidents in what Mark Twain dubbed "the gilded age" for a select few. This video …