National Strike Day

Young adults holding picket signs with various slogans, wearing casual clothes, urban city backdrop.. — National strike day illustration

Isn't it just quintessentially internet to have a National Strike Day lurking around in its gigabytes? After all, who said days need to be about the fluffier side of life like cuddly kittens and sweet desserts only? Sometimes, we have to raise our virtual posters and declare a day-off, just because it's National Strike Day! Gather around as we spill the digital tea about this somewhat unconventional day.

When is Strike Day?

It's national strike day on the 16th February.

The Lighter Side of Labor Movements

Though National Strike Day strikes (pun totally expected) as a day to put on a serious composure, internet history suggests a mirthful side to it. National Strike Day first made a buzz on the internet with 2385 mentions, but things hit a crescendo on February 16, 2017. Now, why that day? We’re still cracking that code and our best guess so far is that it was a slow Thursday and the internet just needed some spice.

Off Key, Yet On Strike

While specific motives behind National Strike Day are as clear as mud, the excitement and solidarity that bring the webbed world together are as real as your coffee crush. The idea seems to be about raising awareness, promoting dialogue, or maybe, just pressing the pause button to your routine life. Well, we all need a day, right? Sometimes, it's just about being able to say '#DidNotWorkToday.' Take that, routine!

A Day for the Books... or Tweets

Surprisingly, National Strike Day doesn’t trace its roots to any major historical event or defining labor moment. But isn't that the beauty of the internet? It doesn’t need a cause backed by a history book for celebration. A tweet, post, or a meme is enough to unite us and set a trend. Ah, the delightful chaos of the internet world! Cause or not, National Strike Day is here, and it probably isn't going anywhere.

History behind the term 'Strike'

1768

Early Origins

The term 'strike' originated in the 18th century from an English sailors' tactic of 'striking' or removing the sails in order to bring a ship to a halt. This action was often taken during mutinies or disputes between the crew and officers. The word 'strike' in this context meant to cease or suspend work.

1829

Industrial Revolution

During the Industrial Revolution, as worker rights became a key issue, 'strike' started to be used more frequently in the context of labor disputes. Workers used the term to describe collective actions where they would stop working as a way of demanding better working conditions, higher wages, or shorter hours. The act of 'striking' became a powerful tool for workers to assert their rights.

1886

Haymarket Affair

The Haymarket Affair in Chicago, Illinois, had a significant impact on the history of the term 'strike'. In May 1886, labor activists called for a general strike in support of the eight-hour workday. A peaceful demonstration turned violent when a bomb was thrown into the crowd, resulting in casualties and sparking a wave of anti-union sentiment. The Haymarket Affair solidified the association of 'strike' with labor movements and their struggle for workers' rights.

1947

Taft-Hartley Act

In 1947, the United States passed the Taft-Hartley Act, which significantly affected the use of 'strike' in labor disputes. This legislation imposed restrictions on strikes, outlawing certain types of strikes and granting employers more power to handle labor disputes. The Taft-Hartley Act remains influential in shaping labor relations in the United States, and the term 'strike' continues to be closely associated with workers taking collective action.

Present

Modern Usage

In modern usage, the term 'strike' encompasses a broad range of labor actions, including general strikes, wildcat strikes, sympathy strikes, and more. It has also extended beyond the labor context to include strikes in sports, such as when athletes refuse to participate as a form of protest or negotiation. 'Strike' has become a powerful symbol of collective action, highlighting the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and the importance of solidarity.

Did you know?

Did you know that according to our data, the most mentions of National Strike Day occurred on February 16, 2017? It totally strikes us as the day π was irrationally disappointed to be out of the spotlight.