Bernard, John Toussaint (1893–1983)

Minnesota Congressman John T. Bernard fought throughout his life for working people against strong opposition. His outspoken and uncompromising views led him, on his second day in office, to cast the single “no” vote in Congress against the Spanish arms embargo. Bernard’s vote proved farsighted as the Spanish Civil War became, in many ways, a “dress rehearsal” for World War II.

Black and white photograph of Frank Little, c.1915. Little was an IWW organizer involved in the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Frank Little

Frank Little, c.1915. Little was an IWW organizer involved in the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Black and white photograph of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, c.1915. Flynn was an IWW organizer and speaker during the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, c.1915. Flynn was an IWW organizer and speaker during the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Black and white photograph of Carlo Tresca, c.1910. Tresca was an IWW leader during the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Carlo Tresca

Carlo Tresca, c.1910. Tresca was an IWW leader during the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916.

Black and white pro-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the newspaper Solidarity on July 1, 1916.

Pro-I.W.W. cartoon

Pro-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the newspaper Solidarity on July 1, 1916. Cartoon is from Betten, Neil. “Riot, Revolution, Repression in the Iron Range Strike of 1916.” Minnesota History 51, no. 2 (1988): 63–74.

Black and white anti-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the Duluth News Tribune on July 5, 1916.

“I.W.W. agitator” cartoon

Anti-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the Duluth News Tribune on July 5, 1916. Cartoon is from Eleff, Robert M. “The 1916 Minnesota Miners’ Strike Against U.S. Steel.” Minnesota History 51, no. 2 (1988): 63–74.

Black and white anti-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the Duluth News Tribune on July 1, 1916.

Anti-I.W.W. cartoon

Anti-I.W.W. cartoon printed in the Duluth News Tribune on July 1, 1916. Cartoon is from Betten, Neil. “Riot, Revolution, Repression in the Iron Range Strike of 1916.” Minnesota History 41, no. 2 (1968): 82–94.

Black and white photograph of miners inside the Fayal mine in Eveleth, 1915. Photographed by William F. Roleff.

Fayal Underground Mine, Eveleth

Miners inside the Fayal mine in Eveleth, 1915. Photographed by William F. Roleff.

Mesabi Iron Range Strike, 1916

During the summer of 1916, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) coordinated a strike of iron ore miners on the Mesabi Iron Range. The strikers fought for higher wages, an eight-hour workday, and workplace reform. Although the strike failed, it was one of the largest labor conflicts in Minnesota history.

Black and white photograph of a group of miners at Ironton, 1925.

Ironton miners

Group of miners at Ironton, 1925.

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