One of the worst disasters in the history of U.S. anthracite mining occurred at the Avondale Mine, near Scranton, Pa., when a fire originating from a furnace at the bottom of a 237 foot shaft roared up the shaft, killing 110 miners - 1869

Women shoemakers in Lynn, Mass. create Daughters of St. Crispin, demand pay equal to that of men - 1869

William Sylvis, founder of the National Labor Union, died - 1869