A. Philip Randolph, born on this day in 1889, was an American labor organizer, civil rights activist, and socialist politician who founded and led The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP).

Randolph's activism was instrumental in pressuring both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman to end segregation in defense industries and armed services, respectively. In 1963, he also masterminded and led the "March on Washington", at which MLK Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

As a labor organizer, his greatest success came with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, who elected him President in 1925. This group would become one the first predominantly black labor unions. Because porters were not unionized, most suffered poor working conditions and were underpaid, despite the industry booming at the time.

After years of bitter struggle, the Pullman Company finally began to negotiate with the Brotherhood in 1935, and agreed to a contract with them in 1937. Employees gained $2,000,000 in pay increases, a shorter workweek, and overtime pay.

"Make wars unprofitable and you make them impossible."

- A. Phillip Randolph