Many languages. Many nations. Many cultures.
One working class.
Today in history: November 19, 1915 – Joe Hill was executed in Utah at age 36.
Hill was a Swedish immigrant, songwriter, and organizer with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He was a leader of the San Pedro dock workers’ strike and involved in many other labor battles. Hill became a popular song writer and cartoonist for the IWW. His songs include ʺThe Preacher and the Slaveʺ (where he coined the term ʺpie in the skyʺ), ʺThe Trampʺ, ʺThere is Power in a Unionʺ, ʺThe Rebel Girlʺ, and ʺCasey Jones—the Union Scabʺ.
Hill was accused of the 1914 murder of a Salt Lake City grocer and former policeman. At Hill’s trial none of the witnesses were able to identify him as one of the murderers but he was convicted and sentenced to death anyway. The IWW argued that Hill had been framed, and recent investigations back up that view. Following an unsuccessful appeal and an international campaign calling for clemency, Hill was executed by firing squad on November 19, 1915.
Just prior to his execution, Hill had written to Bill Haywood, an IWW leader, saying, ʺGoodbye Bill. I die like a true blue rebel. Don’t waste any time in mourning. Organize!ʺ An estimated 30,000 people attended Hill’s funeral.
Joe Hill has been memorialized in many songs, poems, writings and movies, and his songs continue to be widely known and loved in the workers movement today.
