Striking Back: The Fight to End Child Labor Exploitation (Taking a Stand)

In 1790, the first water-powered mill in America was run by children, some as young as 7 years old. They were paid pennies for a workday that might last more than 10 hours. As America grew, the children's plight grew worse. Exhausted by six-day work weeks and harsh conditions, millions of young workers had no time to play or go outdoors. They had no childhood. In time, children and adults fought back, and the children went on strike to protest harsh conditions. Finally, during the last years of the Great Depression, the government took action, passing the Fair Labor Act.