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Today in History: Seattle Workers Launch Five-Day General Strike for Wages

2/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On February 6, 1919, over 65,000 workers in Seattle initiated a five-day general strike to demand higher wages following two years of wage controls during World War I. The strike, which included various local unions, aimed to support locked-out shipyard workers but faced opposition from national labor leaders and government officials, who viewed it as a radical challenge to American institutions.

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Story summary

On February 6, 1919, over 65,000 workers in Seattle initiated a five-day general strike to demand higher wages following two years of wage controls during World War I. The strike, which included various local unions, aimed to support locked-out shipyard workers but faced opposition from national labor leaders and government officials, who viewed it as a radical challenge to American institutions.