International Workingmen's Association

The International Workingmen's Association (IWA), sometimes called the First International, was an international organization which aimed at uniting a variety of different left-wing political groups and trade union organizations that were based on the working class. It was founded in 1864 in a workmen's meeting held in Saint Martin's Hall, London. Its first congress was held in 1866 in Geneva. A significant decision at that event was the adoption of the 8-hour work day as one of the Association's fundamental demands.

External links

• International Worker's Association official site
• History of the International Workingmen's Association, at Marxists.org