Today in Labor History Oct 23 Two postal workers die after inhaling anthrax & explosion kills 23

[Omaha Steve]

October 23


October 23, 1844 - Louis Riel, leader of the Metis people, was born. The Metis, of French and Native American ancestry, established several communities, including Little Canada, just north of St. Paul. “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, the founder of St. Paul, was a Metis. Riel himself worked briefly in St. Paul before returning to Canada to lead a revolutionary movement of native people. In 1869, they briefly seized Fort Garry (the modern-day city of Winnipeg) and established a provisional government with Riel as president. After participating in several other uprisings, Riel was found guilty of treason and hanged. His death led to fierce outbreaks of racialism in Quebec and Ontario and marked the beginning of the nationalist movement.

Explosion and fire at Phillips Petroleum refinery in Pasadena, Texas, kills 23 and injures 314 - 1989

Postal workers Joseph Cursseen and Thomas Morris die after inhaling anthrax at the Brentwood mail sorting center in Washington, D.C. Other postal workers are made ill. Letters containing the deadly spores had been addressed to U.S. Senate offices and media outlets - 2001

Labor history found here: http://www.unionist.com/today-in-labor-history & here: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?history_9_10_23_2010