May 20, 1926 — News 100 Years Ago #history #historical #historyshorts #historyfacts #onthisday

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:01]Tonight, President Coolidge signs two laws that will shape American transportation for the next century.

[00:00:08]Good evening. This is the Daily Dispatch reporting the events of Thursday, the 20th of May, 1926.

[00:00:16]From the White House this morning, President Coolidge has signed the Railway Labor Act into law. It is the first federal collective bargaining legislation in American history. The railroads carry 70% of American freight.

[00:00:29]The strikes that have shut them down since the 1870s will, the President hopes, end here.

[00:00:35]Hours later, the President signs the Air Commerce Act. Pilots will now be licensed. Aircraft will now be inspected. Aviation in America has been the wild frontier. Barnstormers, mail pilots, and stunt flyers. After today, the Department of Commerce takes the reins.

[00:00:56]Two industries on the same day. The railroads, 50 years old. The airways, 23 years young. Tonight, the American government has placed its hand on the steering wheel of two transportation revolutions.