IWW Historical Archives

"Yaas," said the farmer reflectively, "all the I.W.W. fellers I've met seemed to be pretty decent lads, but them 'alleged I.W.W.'s' must be holy frights."

--From page 19 of the IWW Little Red Songbook, 15th edition, (1919)

The IWW has a very rich and colorful history (with as many cultural traditions as we have political contributions to the class struggle) and we continue to have a vibrant organization and culture today.  Here we explain and clarify our current positions and historical traditions:

IWW Cultural Icons - including the nickname "Wobbly", Joe Hill, The Little Red Songbook, Free Speech Fights, Hoboes, The Black Cat, The General Strike, and more!

Minutes of the Founding Convention of the IWW - Travel back in time to late June / early July 1905 when the founding of the One Big Union took place.  Read the entire history of the IWW's creation here!

Chronology of the IWW's History - Get a glimpse of the IWW's most significant moments from its conception to the present.

IWW Union Dictionary - Here we explain much of the vernacular and slang used by the IWW today and throughout its rich and colorful history.

An Annotated Bibliography of Books on the IWW (PDF File) - Compiled by Steve Kellerman, Revised June 2007.

IWW Documents Library - a thorough, but by no means complete, collection of documents about the IWW, by IWW members and non-members, organized by author.

IWW Campaigns - a selective list of significant, specific IWW campaigns, either targeting specific industries or employers or focusing on specific issues.

IWW Resolutions - a selective list of significant resolutions passed by the IWW membership and/or General Executive Board on various matters of importance.

IWW Biography - a selective gallery of famous (and not-so-famous) IWW members, their stories, their contributions to the IWW, and the cause of abolition of wage slavery.