AFT Resolution 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF TEACHERS WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers was founded in Chicago, when eight
local unions formed the AFT and were granted a charter signed by AFL President Samuel Gompers on
May 9, 1916. The original eight local unions were the Chicago Teachers Federation; the Chicago
Federation of Men Teachers; the Chicago Federation of Women High School Teachers; the Gary, Ind.,
Teachers Federation; the Teachers Union of New York; the Oklahoma Teachers Federation; the
Scranton, Pa. Teachers Association; and the High School Teachers Union of Washington, D.C.;
andWHEREAS, we continue to grow—now 1.6 million members strong—with the first local chartered
after the affiliation with the AFL being the African-American Teachers of the Armstrong-Dunbar High
School, Local 9, in Washington, D.C., to one of our most recent charters, the United Nations Staff Union,
Local 6610; andWHEREAS, since that day in 1916, our strength has come from the diversity of our
members in all constituencies and from the proud history of all our local and state affiliates;
andWHEREAS, when this convention ends today, we will embark on a two-year period leading to the
centennial anniversary of this great union; andWHEREAS, this time gives us the opportunity to celebrate
our union and to educate the public, those we represent and those we serve about our union, our mission
and the vital role unions play in America:RESOLVED, that the executive council of the American
Federation of Teachers appoint a special committee to plan a unionwide celebration and commemoration
of our 100th anniversary on May 9, 2016; and RESOLVED, that the 2016 AFT convention in
Minneapolis-St. Paul include a unique and special celebration of this historic event.