Storm The Fort
@stormthefortpod.bsky.social
Telling the story of the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor and what it means for today. New episodes every Thursday
Episodes 11 and 12 are live, and our series is officially over!
In these last episodes, we cover the fall of Powderly from the head of the Knights, and the final fall of the Order in the following years. Then we discuss what the legacy of the Knights of Labor means today.
In these last episodes, we cover the fall of Powderly from the head of the Knights, and the final fall of the Order in the following years. Then we discuss what the legacy of the Knights of Labor means today.
May 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Episodes 11 and 12 are live, and our series is officially over!
In these last episodes, we cover the fall of Powderly from the head of the Knights, and the final fall of the Order in the following years. Then we discuss what the legacy of the Knights of Labor means today.
In these last episodes, we cover the fall of Powderly from the head of the Knights, and the final fall of the Order in the following years. Then we discuss what the legacy of the Knights of Labor means today.
Episodes 9 and 10 are public!
After an unprecedented year of conflict and growth, the Knights of Labor find themselves under attack from within the labor movement as well as employers and vigilantes. In response, they decide to do some purges.
After an unprecedented year of conflict and growth, the Knights of Labor find themselves under attack from within the labor movement as well as employers and vigilantes. In response, they decide to do some purges.
May 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Episodes 9 and 10 are public!
After an unprecedented year of conflict and growth, the Knights of Labor find themselves under attack from within the labor movement as well as employers and vigilantes. In response, they decide to do some purges.
After an unprecedented year of conflict and growth, the Knights of Labor find themselves under attack from within the labor movement as well as employers and vigilantes. In response, they decide to do some purges.
The May Day strikes transformed working-class communities across the country in the image of the Knights of Labor.
Hear more about the groundbreaking upheaval of 1886 in the latest episodes of Storm the Fort.
Hear more about the groundbreaking upheaval of 1886 in the latest episodes of Storm the Fort.
May 1, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The May Day strikes transformed working-class communities across the country in the image of the Knights of Labor.
Hear more about the groundbreaking upheaval of 1886 in the latest episodes of Storm the Fort.
Hear more about the groundbreaking upheaval of 1886 in the latest episodes of Storm the Fort.
Episodes 7 and 8 are public!
We finally talk about the Great Upheaval of 1886: the massive Great Southwestern Strike and Eight Hour strikes that inspired the first May Day. This upheaval shocked the capitalist class and transformed working-class communities to their core.
We finally talk about the Great Upheaval of 1886: the massive Great Southwestern Strike and Eight Hour strikes that inspired the first May Day. This upheaval shocked the capitalist class and transformed working-class communities to their core.
May 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Episodes 7 and 8 are public!
We finally talk about the Great Upheaval of 1886: the massive Great Southwestern Strike and Eight Hour strikes that inspired the first May Day. This upheaval shocked the capitalist class and transformed working-class communities to their core.
We finally talk about the Great Upheaval of 1886: the massive Great Southwestern Strike and Eight Hour strikes that inspired the first May Day. This upheaval shocked the capitalist class and transformed working-class communities to their core.
May Day is about freedom: the freedom to have a life beyond work and to control your own time when you are working.
Hear the story of the first May Day in 1886, and its violent suppression, this Thursday with Episodes 7 and 8 of Storm the Fort!
Hear the story of the first May Day in 1886, and its violent suppression, this Thursday with Episodes 7 and 8 of Storm the Fort!
April 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
May Day is about freedom: the freedom to have a life beyond work and to control your own time when you are working.
Hear the story of the first May Day in 1886, and its violent suppression, this Thursday with Episodes 7 and 8 of Storm the Fort!
Hear the story of the first May Day in 1886, and its violent suppression, this Thursday with Episodes 7 and 8 of Storm the Fort!
Episodes 5 and 6 are public!
For the first time, the Knights begin to actually win major strikes, propelling them to become the largest labor organization in American history. With their new notoriety, the face new questions about their goals and who they truly represent.
For the first time, the Knights begin to actually win major strikes, propelling them to become the largest labor organization in American history. With their new notoriety, the face new questions about their goals and who they truly represent.
April 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Episodes 5 and 6 are public!
For the first time, the Knights begin to actually win major strikes, propelling them to become the largest labor organization in American history. With their new notoriety, the face new questions about their goals and who they truly represent.
For the first time, the Knights begin to actually win major strikes, propelling them to become the largest labor organization in American history. With their new notoriety, the face new questions about their goals and who they truly represent.
Turns out robber barons haven't changed much in 150 years. Episodes 5 and 6 of Storm the Fort drop this Thursday, April 24th!
April 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Turns out robber barons haven't changed much in 150 years. Episodes 5 and 6 of Storm the Fort drop this Thursday, April 24th!
With all of this growth, the Knights began to split into factions, as radicals and trade unionists made their voices heard for the first time. The most notorious faction was the Home Club, which combined anarchists and traditionalists to dominate the New York labor scene.
April 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
With all of this growth, the Knights began to split into factions, as radicals and trade unionists made their voices heard for the first time. The most notorious faction was the Home Club, which combined anarchists and traditionalists to dominate the New York labor scene.
The beneficiary of this new surge in organizing was Terence Powderly, a machinist who had joined the order in 1876, but quickly rose through the ranks. At the third national convention in September 1879, he was elected Grand Master Workman, a position he would hold until 1893.
April 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The beneficiary of this new surge in organizing was Terence Powderly, a machinist who had joined the order in 1876, but quickly rose through the ranks. At the third national convention in September 1879, he was elected Grand Master Workman, a position he would hold until 1893.
The strike was especially strong in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and St. Louis, where the Knights had only minimal presence. However, they were one of the few remaining labor organizations remaining at this point, so the strike led to a huge surge in organizing and membership.
April 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The strike was especially strong in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and St. Louis, where the Knights had only minimal presence. However, they were one of the few remaining labor organizations remaining at this point, so the strike led to a huge surge in organizing and membership.
Episodes 3 and 4 are public!
1877 brings one of the deadliest strikes in American history, which drives the Knights of Labor to become more open, and more accepting of different types of workers. In the upsurge, a young machinist named Terence Powderly takes charge, transforming the order.
1877 brings one of the deadliest strikes in American history, which drives the Knights of Labor to become more open, and more accepting of different types of workers. In the upsurge, a young machinist named Terence Powderly takes charge, transforming the order.
April 17, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Episodes 3 and 4 are public!
1877 brings one of the deadliest strikes in American history, which drives the Knights of Labor to become more open, and more accepting of different types of workers. In the upsurge, a young machinist named Terence Powderly takes charge, transforming the order.
1877 brings one of the deadliest strikes in American history, which drives the Knights of Labor to become more open, and more accepting of different types of workers. In the upsurge, a young machinist named Terence Powderly takes charge, transforming the order.
A man with a big mustache and a big role to play in our story. Hear more about Terence Powderly in Episode 3, coming this Thursday, April 17th.
April 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A man with a big mustache and a big role to play in our story. Hear more about Terence Powderly in Episode 3, coming this Thursday, April 17th.
A spontaneous railroad strike has killed nearly 100 workers across the country! Do you:
1️⃣ Grow the Knights of Labor
2️⃣ Get into third-party politics
3️⃣ Restart the trade unions
4️⃣ All of the above and cause a split in your org
Hear the answer this Thursday with episodes 3 and 4
1️⃣ Grow the Knights of Labor
2️⃣ Get into third-party politics
3️⃣ Restart the trade unions
4️⃣ All of the above and cause a split in your org
Hear the answer this Thursday with episodes 3 and 4
April 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
A spontaneous railroad strike has killed nearly 100 workers across the country! Do you:
1️⃣ Grow the Knights of Labor
2️⃣ Get into third-party politics
3️⃣ Restart the trade unions
4️⃣ All of the above and cause a split in your org
Hear the answer this Thursday with episodes 3 and 4
1️⃣ Grow the Knights of Labor
2️⃣ Get into third-party politics
3️⃣ Restart the trade unions
4️⃣ All of the above and cause a split in your org
Hear the answer this Thursday with episodes 3 and 4
Episodes 1 and 2 are public!
From the battlefields of the Civil War to the workshops of Philadelphia to the coalfields of Clearfield County, these episodes go through the origins of the Knights of Labor as it is founded in 1869 as a secret society looking to transform the nation.
From the battlefields of the Civil War to the workshops of Philadelphia to the coalfields of Clearfield County, these episodes go through the origins of the Knights of Labor as it is founded in 1869 as a secret society looking to transform the nation.
April 10, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Episodes 1 and 2 are public!
From the battlefields of the Civil War to the workshops of Philadelphia to the coalfields of Clearfield County, these episodes go through the origins of the Knights of Labor as it is founded in 1869 as a secret society looking to transform the nation.
From the battlefields of the Civil War to the workshops of Philadelphia to the coalfields of Clearfield County, these episodes go through the origins of the Knights of Labor as it is founded in 1869 as a secret society looking to transform the nation.
Does the current economic panic have you worried?
Soothe your fears by listening to Episodes 1 and 2 of Storm the Fort this Thursday to hear how another economic panic led to the creation of our first national labor movement.
Soothe your fears by listening to Episodes 1 and 2 of Storm the Fort this Thursday to hear how another economic panic led to the creation of our first national labor movement.
April 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Does the current economic panic have you worried?
Soothe your fears by listening to Episodes 1 and 2 of Storm the Fort this Thursday to hear how another economic panic led to the creation of our first national labor movement.
Soothe your fears by listening to Episodes 1 and 2 of Storm the Fort this Thursday to hear how another economic panic led to the creation of our first national labor movement.
Excited to announce our co-hosts and our first piece of public audio as @karlstomberg.bsky.social swears @madinahfordelaware.bsky.social into the Knights of Labor.
First episodes coming on April 10th.
First episodes coming on April 10th.
February 9, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Excited to announce our co-hosts and our first piece of public audio as @karlstomberg.bsky.social swears @madinahfordelaware.bsky.social into the Knights of Labor.
First episodes coming on April 10th.
First episodes coming on April 10th.
It's official: the first draft for Storm the Fort is finished! We should be on track for an April 10th release: 12 one-hour episodes released twice a week.
More information and previews coming soon.
More information and previews coming soon.
January 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
It's official: the first draft for Storm the Fort is finished! We should be on track for an April 10th release: 12 one-hour episodes released twice a week.
More information and previews coming soon.
More information and previews coming soon.
All of these factions could basically fit into the values and goals that were stated in the preamble of the Knights' constitution. It was the broadness of that vision that allowed the Knights to grow as far and wide as they did. But it caused a lot of conflict.
January 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
All of these factions could basically fit into the values and goals that were stated in the preamble of the Knights' constitution. It was the broadness of that vision that allowed the Knights to grow as far and wide as they did. But it caused a lot of conflict.
The final faction was the radicals. I classify them separately because while they never comprised a huge portion of the Knights overall, they played an outsized role in many decisive moments and had a unique reason for why they chose to get involved in the order.
January 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The final faction was the radicals. I classify them separately because while they never comprised a huge portion of the Knights overall, they played an outsized role in many decisive moments and had a unique reason for why they chose to get involved in the order.
The second major faction was the trade unionists. These would be the most recognizable to us today, as they believed that the role of the Knights or any labor organization was to organize by craft and negotiate with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions.
January 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The second major faction was the trade unionists. These would be the most recognizable to us today, as they believed that the role of the Knights or any labor organization was to organize by craft and negotiate with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions.
The largest and most dominant faction was the reformers. Generally made up of more respectable tradesmen or even small manufacturers in rural areas and small towns, reformers believed that the goal of the Knights was to harmonize the interests of capital and labor.
January 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The largest and most dominant faction was the reformers. Generally made up of more respectable tradesmen or even small manufacturers in rural areas and small towns, reformers believed that the goal of the Knights was to harmonize the interests of capital and labor.
The Knights of Labor was a large, decentralized, and complicated organization. But many of the core tensions and contradictions within the organization can broadly be described with three factions: reformers, radicals, and trade unionists.
January 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The Knights of Labor was a large, decentralized, and complicated organization. But many of the core tensions and contradictions within the organization can broadly be described with three factions: reformers, radicals, and trade unionists.
155 years ago today, a group of around half a dozen garment cutters met at the home of Joseph S Kennedy. They took their organization which had only been an idea and some bylaws and gave it a name: the Knights of Labor, which would go on to become the most influential labor movement of the 1800s.
December 29, 2024 at 2:36 PM
155 years ago today, a group of around half a dozen garment cutters met at the home of Joseph S Kennedy. They took their organization which had only been an idea and some bylaws and gave it a name: the Knights of Labor, which would go on to become the most influential labor movement of the 1800s.
Most notoriously, this led a group of Knights of Labor miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming to led a massacre of dozens of Chinese miners on September 2nd, 1885. While the Knights themselves did not support violence, it's clear their rhetoric had some blame for this horrible act (8/)
December 28, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Most notoriously, this led a group of Knights of Labor miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming to led a massacre of dozens of Chinese miners on September 2nd, 1885. While the Knights themselves did not support violence, it's clear their rhetoric had some blame for this horrible act (8/)