jan 1, 1877 - Great Railroad Strike

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The Great Railroad Strike began when Baltimore and Ohio Railroad cut wages for the third time in a year. Beginning in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the strike spread to railroad cities across the nation. Workers destroyed railroad building and trains themselves. At its height, the strike was 100,000 workers strong, making it the largest strike in U.S. history. The workers were not represented by a union. 45 days later, the strike ended when a combination of state militia and federal troops sent by President Hayes stopped the strikers. Railroad companies soon instituted healthcare programs and pension plans for workers.

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