Ludlow massacre

The Ludlow massacre of April 20, 1914 was one of the bloodiest assaults on organized labor in American history. It took place in Ludlow, Colorado (today a ghost town) northwest of Trinidad, Colorado and was the climax of an effort to suppress a strike by twelve thousand Colorado coal miners.

Legacy

News of the event spread across the country overnight. Armed workers from the surrounding tent cities converged on the camp to fight the National Guard. Railway workers and other unions began strikes in sympathy with the coal miners, and even some National Guardsmen refused to fight against the strikers. Groups of miners dynamited coal camps. Several southern Colorado cities were taken over and occupied by the miners.

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In Congress, Socialistrepresentative Victor Berger of Wisconsin called on all workers to get guns to defend themselves. After ten days of fighting, Governor Ammons finally called on President Woodrow Wilson to intervene. Federal troops were sent to the region and the strikers were disarmed.

Related Topics:
Congress - Socialist - Victor Berger - Wisconsin - President - Woodrow Wilson - Federal troops

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In the end, the strikers failed to obtain their demands, their union did not obtain recognition, and many union workers were replaced by non-union workers. None of the National Guardsmen who attacked the strikers was ever prosecuted, though sixty-six people had died in the violence by the time the strike finally ended.

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In 1918 the Ludlow Monument was erected by the UMWA to commemorate those who died during the strike. The monument was damaged in May 2003 by unknown vandals. Unveiling of the repaired monument was scheduled for June 5, 2005. See the monument link for more info.

Related Topics:
1918 - Ludlow Monument - 2003

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Popular American folk singer Woody Guthrie wrote the song "Ludlow Massacre" about the events.

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