American Decades

Important Events in Business and the Economy, 1900–1909

In January, 250,000 U.S. children under age 15 worked in mines and factories rather than attending school.
On January 10, the National Civic Federation is established in Chicago to promote labor-management relations with representatives from business, labor, and the public.
In February, the Alabama State Federation of Labor becomes the first U.S. union to integrate African American and white workers.
On March 14, Congress passes the Gold Standard Act, empowering the U.S. Treasury to use gold in its transactions.
On March 18, veteran train engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones, thirty-six, is killed when his train crashes near Vaughan, Mississippi. His heroic efforts to save as many lives as possible are later immortalized by another railroad worker in the ballad "Casey Jones."
On March 31, The Saturday Evening Post carries the first national advertisement for...

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