dec 17, 1869 - Knights of Labor

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Founder Terence Powderly, The Knights of Labor sought to create a united front of producers versus the nonproducers. The organization even allowed women and African Americans to join its ranks. Together, the producers sought an eight-hour workday, an end to child labor, better wages, and improved working conditions in general. Excluded asians from their ranks. Thrived until extremist actions in the early 1900s declined overall union membership.

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