Today (even though here at the NSUJL it’s EVERY DAY!) is Lineman Appreciation Day!
History of Lineman Appreciation Day
Lineman Appreciation Day has been celebrated on different days of the year. Oftentimes you will also see April 18 as Lineman Appreciation Day. This date was actually chosen by a non-union electrical utility executive to coincide with his father’s birthday – and neither of those men were lineworkers.
Henry Miller
However, July 10 bears significant importance to the IBEW and union lineworkers. This is the anniversary of the death of the IBEW’s first President, and one of the founders of the organization, Henry Miller. In recent years there have been attempts to get this date Congressionally-approved to be the official Lineman Appreciation Day, recognized Nationwide. To read more about how Miller started the IBEW: http://www.ibew.org/articles/01daily/0107/010711.htm
Nikola Tesla
Another significance of the July 10 date is that it is the birthdate of Nikola Tesla. Working with Thomas Edison, Tesla made dozens of breakthroughs in the production, transmission and application of electric power. He also invented the first alternating current (AC) motor and developed AC generation and transmission technology.
A fun tidbit about Tesla is that he was born during a lightning storm. For more information and facts about Tesla: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-nikola-tesla
Thank You!
No matter what day you celebrate lineworkers, we here at the NSUJL thank them every day for their hard work and sacrifices. Oftentimes these men and women are away from home for days, weeks, and even months at a time. Line-work is also one of the most dangerous professions with accidents often involving severe burns, falls – or worse. These frontline heroes don’t get near the recognition they deserve and we want to take a moment to thank everyone for their service! THANK YOU!