Today in Labor History March 11, 1833: The U.S. invaded Nicaragua to “protect U.S. business interests.” The U.S. invaded again in 1853, 1854, 1867, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1899 and 1909. Then, in 1912, they invaded and occupied the country for 21 years.
Today in Labor History February 21, 1934: Augusto Cesar Sandino, Nicaraguan independence fighter, was assassinated by Somoza’s Nation Guard. While in exile in Mexico during the early 1920s, Sandino participated in strikes led by the IWW. Inspired by the anarcho-syndicalist union, he adopted their red and black logo as the colors for the revolutionary Nicaraguan flag. The Sandinistas, or FSLN, who overthrew the dictator, Anastasio Somoza, in 1979, were named for Sandino.
Today in Labor History October 26, 1926: Augusto Sandino took up arms against the Nicaraguan state. Sandino had been living in exile in México during the early 1920s, where he participated in strikes led by the IWW. Inspired by the IWW, he adopted the IWW's black & red colors for the Sandinista flag.