April 14, 2026: Earth Day 56

With co-hosts Barbara and Margie, we discussion the Industrial Revolution in the USA in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries as workers left agricultural and cottage workplaces to join the industrialization movement–in mines and factories, to construct transportation corridors and means of transport, factories and the machines.  The financiers and bosses set work expectations to maximize profits and workers came together to demand reasonable work days and safety measures.  In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades & Labor Unions and the Knights of Labor proclaimed “the 8-hour day shall constitute a legal day’s labor” beginning 5/1/1886.  Workers were encouraged to strike and demonstrate for the 8-hour day.  In Chicago, a rally became deadly when a bomb was thrown by persons unknown and killed police officers and civilians.  Eight men were charged and convicted on scant evidence; 4 were hung.  From that event, May Day was proclaimed as 5/1 annually to honor the Haymarket Martyrs around the world except the USA, where Labor Day became the first Sunday in September, for picnicking, not rallying.  

The 2026, a grassroot coalition is organizing the May Day Movement to rally to hold elected officials accountable, restore Constitutional integrity, and remove President DJT from office.  Sadly the movement is not focused on the origins of May Dat, and we will talk more about that leading up to the event.

On April 21, in advance of Savannah’s Earth Day celebration on 4/24 in Daffin Park, VoR will look at where we are as we celebrate Earth Day 56 with a local representation to the Georgia Interfaith Power & Light.