Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
Milestones in Wisconsin Labor History

Worker's Compensation Brief History


Read More About It

"Workers and Unions in Wisconsin: A Labor History Anthology" by Darryl Holter

"Workmen's Compensation - A Wisconsin First," by Harry Nelson, 1956 Blue Book


Vocabulary:

modern
compensation
passed


Interesting Fact:

Ten states passed similar laws in 1911 but Wisconsin was the first. Maryland passed its workers' compensation law in 1902 but the U.S. Supreme Court found it unconstitutional.


Study Questions:

  • What is workers' compensation?
  • Was this law a part of the progressive movement in Wisconsin? Please explain.
  • What other 1911 reforms were passed by the Wisconsin legislature?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on September 1:

    1807: Aaron Burr is found innocent of treason.



  • September 1

    September 1, 1911: The first modern state workers' compensation law was passed.


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