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Today in History: Cigar Factory Workers Launch Major Labor Strike

10/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On October 22, 1945, workers at the Cigar Factory in Charleston, South Carolina, initiated a labor strike against the American Tobacco Company. This significant protest lasted over five months and played a crucial role in labor rights, contributing to the emergence of the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." The factory was a major employer in the region.

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Story summary

On October 22, 1945, workers at the Cigar Factory in Charleston, South Carolina, initiated a labor strike against the American Tobacco Company. This significant protest lasted over five months and played a crucial role in labor rights, contributing to the emergence of the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." The factory was a major employer in the region.