The movement 1871-2021

With the industrialization in the latter half of the 19th century, an entirely new societal class emerged – the working class. Over time, the workers began to organize themselves, and on October 15th, 1871, the International Workers’ Association for Denmark was founded. In the same year, the workers had established their own newspaper, “Socialisten” (The Socialist). This marked the beginning of the labor movement, which eventually became the strongest popular movement in Danish history. The workers’ determination and ability to organize granted the labor movement the strength to influence and transform Danish society. For 150 years, the workers have organized across all aspects of societal life and throughout the entire country.

Witness the testimonies of the movement’s humble beginnings in the 1870s. Delve into the cultural flourishing of the labor movement in the 1920s, or the major mergers within the labor unions in the 21st century. And explore the movement’s own portrayals of its extensively branched network of organizations.

The journey concludes in 2021, where Lizette Risgaard, the Chairperson of the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, reflects on the movement’s 150-year history.