Chicago Stories: Pullman and the Railroad Rebellion | Watch & Wonder Weekly Highlight

Wednesday, February 6, 2 PM

For next week’s Watch & Wonder Highlight, we’re thrilled to feature this episode of Chicago Stories. After watching, dive deeper with resources about the Pullman Workers Strike’s influence on the history of labor laws in America on PBS LearningMedia.

In 1864, the powerful industrialist and engineer George Pullman brought luxury to overnight train travel with his revolutionary sleeping cars, where passengers were served by an army of former slaves who became known as Pullman Porters and Maids. Pullman soon established a company town for employees on Chicago’s South Side that gave him complete authority over every aspect of their lives. Pullman and the Railroad Rebellion tells the story of the Pullman Workers Strike and how it paved the way for a Black middle class and a civil rights movement that forever changed the course of American history.

PBS LearningMedia

Why Is There a Minimum Wage? | Origin of Everything

Grades 6-12
The minimum wage is an important and contentious aspect of modern economic life. But whether you believe it needs to go up or be eliminated altogether, an important question to ask is, “Why does it exist at all?”

In school or at home, take advantage of the Watch & Wonder broadcast schedule. Running each weekday from 1-3 PM, Watch & Wonder is great for classroom viewing, distance instruction, and families looking to spend some extra, quality time together. Featured programs are ideal for kids in grades 6-12, encouraging creativity with the arts, kick starting innovation through STEM, and expanding their horizons with stories from across the globe!

Each week, we’ll highlight a show from our Watch & Wonder block, and share a PBS LearningMedia resource — suitable for middle and high school students. Follow along on the Watch & Wonder Schedule page, or subscribe to our newsletter!