February 23

W.E.B. DuBois, educator and civil rights activist, born - 1868

The National Marine Engineers Assn. (now the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Assn.), representing deck and engine officers on U.S. flag vessels, is
formed at a convention in Cleveland, Ohio - 1875

The Journeyman Bakers National Union receives its charter from the American Federation of Labor - 1887

William Randolph Hearst’s San Francisco Examiner began publishing articles on the menace of Japanese laborers, leading to a resolution in the
California legislature that action be taken against their immigration - 1904

Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land Is Your Land” following a frigid trip -- partially by hitchhiking, partially by rail -- from California to Manhattan.
The Great Depression was still raging. Guthrie had heard Kate Smith’s recording of “God Bless America” and resolved to himself: “We can’t just
bless America, we’ve got to change it” – 1940

Association of Flight Attendants granted a charter by the AFL-CIO - 1984

Following voter approval for the measure in 2003, San Francisco’s minimum wage rises to $8.50, up from $6.75 - 2004

More info & ammo for unionists is available online from
Union Communication Services. http://www.unionist.com/