Today in labor history Oct 1 Cherokees began the westward movement known as “The Trail of Tears.”

[Omaha Steve]

My paternal grandmother was full Kentucky Cherokee.

Legend of the Cherokee Rose
When the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were grieving and crying so much, they were unable to help their children survive the journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would lift the mother’s spirits to give them strength. The next day a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mother’s tears fell. The rose is white for their tears; a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route of the Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma today.
Source: The Cherokee 1994 Heritage Calendar by Dorothy Sullivan, Memoray Circle Studio, Norman, Ok.



October 01


Painting by Robert Lindneux
Woolaroc Museum

October 1, 1838 - Cherokees began the westward movement known as “The Trail of Tears.” Hundreds died of sickness, drought, heat and exposure in their forced exodus from Georgia.

Read more about the Trail of Tears at http://ngeorgia.com/history/nghisttt.html



Twenty-one die when the L.A. Times building is dynamited during a citywide fight over labor rights and organizing. A union member ultimately confessed to the bombing, which he said was supposed to have occurred early in the morning when the building would have been largely unoccupied - 1910

Thousands of dairy farmers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa strike in demand of higher prices for their milk - 1935

500,000 steel workers in 29 states strike for wage increases and a pension plan - 1949

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was signed by President Nixon today, requiring medium to large employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces - 1970

United Transport Service Employees of America merges with Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees - 1972

Insurance Workers International Union merges with United Food & Commercial Workers International Union - 1983

Railroad Yardmasters of America merge with United Transportation Union - 1985

United Mine Workers of America affiliates with AFL-CIO - 1989

Pattern Makers League of North America merges with International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers - 1991

Stove, Furnace & Allied Appliance Workers International Union of North America merges with International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, & Helpers - 1994

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union merges with United Food and Commercial Workers International Union - 1998

International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers merges with Communications Workers of America - 2000

[GodlessBiker]

1. They didn't begin a "movement," they were forced into a genocidal death march. Jackson's legacy.

Jackson completed ignored a Supreme Court decision in favor of the Cherokees, and famously said something like, "Let the Court enforce its order."

Total bastard.

[enlightenment]

2. The decision was

Worcester v. Georgia and Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the decision.

In two earlier cases, Johnson v. M'Intosh and Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, Marshall's court had decided in the state's favour - Worcester was an interesting reversal and very important because it established the principle of "domestic dependent nations."

Still, the court could have forced Georgia to abide by the decision and chose not to do so - and Georgia simply ignored the ruling. That's what led Jackson to say "the decision of the supreme court has fell still born, and they find that they cannot coerce Georgia to yield to its mandate."

The other phrase attributed to him - "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it" - is apocryphal, though it fits the man's personality . . .

and I agree; Jackson was a jerk.

[GodlessBiker]

3. Thank you for that.

[bushisanidiot]

4. Thanks for this post.

I spent much of the morning reading about the Trail of Tears. As a nation, we owe so much to those we oppressed. It's my belief that America's Indian reservations should have the best schools, roads, and parks in the country.