On this day in 1893, the Western Federation of Miners (WFM) was founded, becoming a radical labor union that produced labor leaders such as Vincent St. John and "Big Bill" Haywood. The WFM later played a key role in founding the IWW.

Its efforts to organize both hard rock miners and smelter workers brought it into militant conflicts - often pitched battles - with both employers and state authorities. The WFM was one of the key factions in the Colorado Coal Wars.

Although the WFM was always militant, it did not adopt an explicitly socialist platform until 1901. "Big Bill" Haywood, who had joined the WFM as a secretary, was a prominent member during this period.

The WFM played a role in founding the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1905, however the split between revolutionaries and reformists led to the WFM withdrawing from the organization several years later and joining the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

Because of this, Haywood and notable labor leader Vincent St. John quit the WFM and began channeling their efforts through the IWW instead.