1884: Congress declared Labor Day a legal holiday
America’s first Labor Day was resolved in a convention in Chicago stating that the first Monday in September is set aside as a laborer’s national holiday. The first annual observance of Labor Day was organized by the American Federation of Labor in 1884. Oregon became the first state to designate Labor Day as a holiday in 1887.
1902: Congress passed the Spooner bill, authorizing a canal to be built across the Isthmus of Panama.
The Spooner Bill, under the Isthmian Canal Act, authorized a canal to be built across the Isthmus of Panama. The US purchases a concession to build the Panama Canal from the French for $40 million. U.S. troops sent to Panama to keep train lines open over the isthmus as Panamanians protest.
1911: Samuel J. Battle becomes the first African-American policeman in New York City.
Born on January 16, 1883, Samuel Jesse Battle was the first black police officer in New York City. He is nicknamed as Big Sam. He served the New York City Police Department from 1911 to 1941. He died on August 7, 1966.
1919: Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles under protest.
The Treaty of Versailles is said to be the most important of the peace treaties that brought World War I to an end. The state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers was ended by this Treaty. It became effective on January 10, 1920.
1964: Malcolm X founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity
Malcolm X founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity to seek independence for blacks in the Western Hemisphere. It was a Pan-Africanist organization. The idea behind this was driving a secular vehicle to internationalize the plight of black Americans and to make common cause with the people of the developing world—to move from civil rights to human rights.
1976: The first women enter the U.S. Air Force Academy
The Air Force Academy had the first female cadets of the military schools enter in June of 1976 and graduated in 1980. Of note, the first woman to hold the position of Superintendent of any United States Military Service Academy was Vice Admiral Sandra Leigh Stosz at the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2011.
