On This Day

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), prohibiting child labor in factories, comes into effect in the US

United States labor law sets the rights and duties for employees, labor unions, and employers in the US.

United States labor law sets the rights and duties for employees, labor unions, and employers in the US. Labor law's basic aim is to remedy the "inequality of bargaining power" between employees and employers, especially employers "organized in the corporate or other forms of ownership association". Over the 20th century, federal law created minimum social and economic rights, and encouraged state laws to go beyond the minimum to favor employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 requires a federal minimum wage, currently $7.25 but higher in 29 states and D.C., and discourages working weeks over 40 hours through time-and-a-half overtime pay. There are no federal laws, and few state laws, requiring paid holidays or paid family leave.

Historical Significance

United States labor law sets the rights and duties for employees, labor unions, and employers in the US.

Events Before

  1. Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

    Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

  2. American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

    American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

  3. American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce

    American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce in 1941

  4. Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia win

    Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia wins the Ashes 3-2

  5. Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

Events After

  1. Jim Bakker is born

    Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

  2. American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

    American future MLB catcher Roy Campanella (18) weds Bernice Ray; eventually divorce

  3. Adolf Hitler threatens Jews during his speech to the German Reichstag (Parliament)

    Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany during the Nazi era, which lasted from 1933 until his suicide in 1945.

  4. American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey

    American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey City, New Jersey; divorce in 1951

  5. Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

    Mahatma Gandhi begins a fast in Bombay to protest against autocratic rule in India

More from the 1930s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 24, 1938?
United States labor law sets the rights and duties for employees, labor unions, and employers in the US. Labor law's basic aim is to remedy the "inequality of bargaining power" between employees and employers, especially employers "organized in the corporate or other forms of ownership association". Over the 20th century, federal law created minimum social and economic rights, and encouraged state laws to go beyond the minimum to favor employees.
Why is The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), prohibiting child labor in factories, co... significant?
United States labor law sets the rights and duties for employees, labor unions, and employers in the US.

Explore More