The first May Day was celebrated on May 1, 1886 and is still celebrated in various areas throughout the globe as International Workers’ Day. The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which later became the American Federation of Labor) first proclaimed that “eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor from and after May…Read More

After the formation of the Brotherhood of Carpenters held their second convention in Philadelphia in 1882. There they adopted the emblem and the first constitution of the UBC. Shortly after that the International Headquarters was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia would remain the home base for P.J. McGuire throughout the rest of his career.Read More

In the second issue of P.J. McGuire’s “The Carpenter” he called for a national convention to be held in Chicago on August 21st, 1881. McGuire along with representatives from 11 different cities formed the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. One of those representatives, Gabriel Edmonston who organized the D.C. and Virginia Carpenters, would become the first…Read More

On August 20, 1866, the National Labor Union made up of skilled and unskilled workers, farmers and reformers was formed and called on Congress to order an eight-hour workday. The National Labor Union was created to pressure COngress to make labor law reforms. The UNion failed to persuade Congress to Shorten the workday and the…Read More