The New York newsboys’ strike of 1899. Reconstruction of a movement of working children in the USA

Abstract

The article reconstructs a strike of young newspaper sellers (news- boys) in New York in 1899 and explores its antecedents, its aftermath, and its significance for understanding working children as social actors. Particular attention is paid to the social conditions of children's lives, issues of racism and antiracism, and the role of girls as an activist minority. Furthermore, it discusses how children's histories of action are reflected in child policy and popular culture in the United States.