Many believe that Cincinnati on this day became the first U.S. city to pay fire fighters a regular salary. Others say no, it was Boston, back in 1678, exact date unknown - 1853

American Labor Union founded. A socialist labor organization whose membership was largely confined to the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, the ALU later took part in the creation of the Industrial Workers of the World. - 1853

Daniel DeLeon, socialist scholar and labor organizer, born - 1852

The earliest recorded strike by Chinese immigrants to the U.S. occurred when stonemasons brought to San Francisco to build the three-story Parrott granite building - made from Chinese prefabricated blocks - struck for higher pay - 1852

National Typographical Union founded, Cincinnati, Ohio. It was renamed the International Typographical Union in 1869, in acknowledgment of Canadian members. When the ITU merged into CWA in 1986 it was the oldest existing union in the U.S. - 1852

Ohio makes it illegal for children under 18 and women to work more than 10 hours a day - 1852

The ship Thetis arrives in Hawaii with 175 Chinese field workers bound to serve for five years at $3 per month - 1852

Sojourner Truth addresses 1st Black Women’s Rights convention - 1851

Birthday of machinist Matthew Maguire, who many believe first suggested Labor Day. Others believe it was Peter McGuire, a carpenter - 1850

Samuel Gompers, first AFL president, born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth - 1850

Birth of Terence V. Powderly, leader of the Knights of Labor - 1849

Women's Rights Convention opens in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Delegates adopt a Declaration of Women's Rights and call for women's suffrage - 1848