By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio Bicentennial officials will salute the Buckeye State's workers and historic labor events this month with the dedication of six historical markers.

They include the miners' strike of 1884 in Nelsonville in Athens County. A marker will be dedicated there at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in the public square.

The marker will read: "The Ohio Miners' Association in Southeast Ohio struck on June 23, 1884, following a 10-cent reduction in wages. Mine operators employed immigrant mineworkers as strikebreakers and Pinkerton detectives to ward off violence. In 1885, the strike ended and the Ohio legislature ended the practice of miners purchasing goods exclusively from company stores."

Other markers will include: the Columbus street car strike of 1910, the Little Steel strike of 1937 in Youngstown, the Massillon Steel strike of 1937, the Fisher Body sit-down strike of 1936 in Akron, the fight for the eight-hour day in Cleveland and the creation of the ALF-CIO in Cleveland in 1958.

In 1882, strikers at the Newburg Rolling Mills demanded change. They worked from sunup to sundown. They went on strike. Their efforts eventually helped bring about the eight-hour workday in the 20th century.

Ohio labor is the 16th of 21 topics to receive historical markers across the state.

Local Lowe's managers planted 50 seedlings Friday at Locust Corner Elementary School in Pierce Township.

It was a part of the Ohio Bicentennial Legacy Tree Planting Program.

Locust Corner was among 25 schools selected across the state to participate in a $50,000 statewide school beautification program, done with Lowe's help.

Lowe's volunteers planted the seedlings in honor of the bicentennial tree program.

Ohio residents voted for their favorite schools by visiting Lowes.com.

Deerfield Township Days, including a ringing of the county bicentennial bell and a concert, will be held Sept. 13.

Country recording star Steve Wariner will sing at 7 p.m. at Landen-Deerfield Park on U.S. 22/ Ohio 3.

This is a dual celebration year for Deerfield - the state's and township's bicentennials.

From the township's Web site (www.deerfieldtwp.com) comes this trivia question: What is current name for the Cincinnati-Montgomery-Hopkinsville-Roachester and Clarksville Macadamized Turnpike?

Answer: The 3C Highway.

Burial of the Warren County Bicentennial 50-year time capsule will be on Oct. 24 at the Bicentennial Plaza, Warren County Administration Building, 406 Justice Drive, Lebanon. A starting time has not been announced.

County officials have been collecting suggested items to be included.

Other local bicentennial-related events will continue through December.

For information, see www.warren200.com.

Bicentennial Notebook appears periodically. Send items to Randy McNutt, the Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: rmcnutt@enquirer.com.