A series of articles comprises the history of labor activism from the 17th century to the present. Most of the information characterizes labor in the United States, although vignettes of labor activity in Canada and Europe are also included. The purpose of the document is to transmit to young workers an understanding of the hopes, bitterness, defeats, and triumphs of the people who participated in the labor movement. Events described include workers' rebellions in colonial Virginia, trials of union leaders in the 19th century, organization of the first labor movement in Philadelphia in the early 19th century, strikes, the Haymarket Square bombing in Chicago in 1886, and creation of major unions such as the IWW, AFL, and CIO. The descriptions of these events stress problems of child labor, labor politics, government opposition to labor organization, working conditions, working hours, labor/management relations, and collective bargaining. A final section presents a brief overview of labor history and concludes that unionism should be regarded as a noble cause dedicated to human dignity and brotherhood. (DB)