From strikes to labor laws: How the US adopted the 5-day workweek
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From strikes to labor laws: How the US adopted the 5-day workweek
Workers holding sign for a 40-hour workweek
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1886: Great Southwest railroad strike
Illustration of 19th century mill workers
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1913: Paterson silk strike
Illustration of police protecting train during railway strike
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1913: President Taft creates Department of Labor
Incumbent Taft congratulates incoming president Wilson at inauguration.
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1919: A general strike stops the steel industry cold
Workers holding strike signs at steel plant
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1926: Passaic textile strike
Vehicle with children of the Passaic textile strikers with signs
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1938: Fair Labor Standards Act is passed
Workers holding sign for a 40-hour workweek
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1947: Portal-to-Portal Act is passed
New York City sanitation workers protest working conditions
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1981: 13,000 air traffic controllers walk off the job
Striking members of air traffic controllers union outside Chicago airport
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1985: Amendments to the Fair Labor Standards are passed
Federal workers process tax forms in a busy office
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2022: California proposes 4-day workweek
Close up on hand and calendar beside laptop