May 19, 1920 - Ten people were killed when coal company officials in Matewan, West Virginia, tried to remove striking union workers from coal company housing. The episode, which became known as the “Matewan Battle” is depicted in John Sayles’ film Matewan.

For more information on the Matewan battle
Go to http://matewanwv.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=49 and http://www.mc.cc.md.us/Departments/hpolscrv/knowlandl.html

May 19, 1942 - The Steel Workers Organizing Committee formally became the United Steelworkers of America.