John L. Lewis' Union Badge
Object Details
- referenced
- United Mine Workers of America
- associated person
- Lewis, John L.
- United Mine Workers of America
- Description
- John L. Lewis, one of America's foremost labor leaders, wore this badge at the 1936 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) convention. It is a metal gold-colored pin with "President" printed in blue. A red, white, and blue ribbon attaches badge to pin. The badge features a gold-colored relief of the U.S. Capitol Building with an eagle perched on a shield. “UMW ORG 1890” is printed in blue at the bottom.
- Born in an Iowa coal-mining camp, Lewis went to work in the mines as a teenager. He rose quickly as a labor leader, becoming president of the UMWA in 1920, and later helped found the Congress of Industrial Organizations. Lewis led a successful struggle to organize industrial workers, improving wages, safety, and benefits.
- associated date
- 1936
- ID Number
- 1989.0693.3777
- catalog number
- 1989.0693.3777
- accession number
- 1989.0693
- Object Name
- badge
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- fabric (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 9.5 cm x 5 cm; 3 3/4 in x 1 15/16 in
- associated place
- United States: District of Columbia
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/treasures-american-history
- See more items in
- Political History: Political History, Reform Movements Collection
- Government, Politics, and Reform
- Work
- Industry & Manufacturing
- National Treasures exhibit
- Exhibition
- American Enterprise
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of American History
- general subject association
- Labor Unions
- Record ID
- nmah_1310542
- Metadata Usage (text)
- CC0
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-ec24-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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