Today, 67 years ago

Half a Million Steelworkers Walk Out

Site date

2026-07-15

History date

1959-07-15

Tone

somber

On July 15, 1959, the nationwide steel strike began after labor talks failed between the United Steelworkers and major steel companies. About 500,000 workers walked off the job, and the strike lasted 116 days.

This one involved labor law, national production, presidential intervention, and enough paperwork to smelt a filing cabinet.

That was 67 years ago. The mills went quiet.