Eugene V. Debs Foundation

10/20/2026

November 5, 1855—October 20, 1926

10/19/2026

Join us Tuesday, October 20th for a participatory memorial program marking the centenary of the death of Eugene V. Debs. We will gather around the front porch to share poetry, music, and our favorite readings from Debs and his fellow lovers of humanity. Please bring a reading or other tribute to share as you feel moved. Dress comfortably for a 1-hour outdoor program followed by refreshments and fellowship in the Debs Home. Contributions of food, drinks, or flowers are especially welcome.

If you can't join us in Terre Haute, take a moment on Tuesday at 7:44 pm to light a candle and remember the life and legacy of our friend Gene.

09/25/2026

The officers and directors of the Eugene V. Debs Foundation are pleased to announce that on Saturday, November 21, 2026, the Debs Award will be presented to Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers.

Brother Shawn Fain began work as an electrician at his Kokomo Indiana hometown Chrysler casting plant in 1994. Following in the footsteps of three UAW member grandparents, he has been a proud UAW member for over 30 years.

As a local union activist, he served on various union committees and became Plant Shop Chairman. He opposed the 2007 contract due to its establishment of tiers and severe pay cuts. In 2012 he became a UAW International Representative.

In 2022 Shawn Fain ran for president, heading up the “UAW Members United” slate on a program of ending corruption, contract concessions and multi-tiered pay structures. In the first direct election in UAW history, the members spoke. Shawn Fain became president in March 2023.

Since becoming president, Shawn Fain has led the union in a more militant and bold direction as witnessed by the creative “Stand-up Strike” for new contracts against the “Big Three” auto companies. Simultaneously taking on the big three for the first time in UAW history, the strike results overcame years of concessions, extracted major pay increases, restored cost of living adjustments and eliminated the unjust and divisive tiered pay structures.

The Award Banquet will take place in Terre Haute, Indiana, the birthplace and lifelong home of Gene Debs and his home now is an outstanding museum of trade union and socialist memorabilia.

Tickets and more information linked in comments!

09/05/2026

Front page of this weekend’s Trib-Star 📰

It's astonishing for modern-day Terre Hauteans to consider this city's reaction when native son Eugene Debs died on Oct. 20, 1926.

09/04/2026

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Join our marching unit in the 2026 Terre Haute Labor Day Parade.

Meet up at the Debs House between 9:30-10am for light refreshments. We’ll depart on foot about 10:10 to line up downtown.

Wear RED and your comfiest marching shoes. Plan to walk about 2 miles with little shade — start hydrating early!

Can’t make it but want to support? Consider a quick donation (profile link) to help cover the candy budget. 🍬

We’ll see you Monday morning!

08/23/2026

We had some special guests this summer from PBS NewsHour

07/04/2026

"I like the 4th of July. It breathes a spirit of revolution. On this day we reaffirm the ultimate triumph of socialism. It is coming as certain as I stand in your presence."

"A little over a century ago the inhabitants of this country were not citizens. They were ruled by a foreign king. They petitioned for relief. Their petitions were disregarded. They objected to taxation without representation. Their protests were scorned. Finally they revolted. They issued the Declaration of Independence and enunciated the proposition that men are created equal. But the founders of this republic had only vague conceptions of democracy. The working class as we understand it today were not represented in the Constitutional Convention. The founders of the republic in declaring that men were created equal evidently meant themselves alone. They did not include the negro, who had been brought here against his will and had been reduced to a state of abject slavery. The institution of chattel slavery was already securely established at that time. It was founded in iniquity, yet it did not seemingly disturb the consciences of the founders of the republic. This institution was in conflict with the spirit of the Declaration, with the genius of free institutions, and yet it was incorporated in them. It steadily grew in power, and in course of time it controlled the country and the courts and the life of the people."

"On this day, commemorating the 4th of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was issued. Thousands of orators all over this broad land will glorify the institutions under which we live. In pride they will point toward Old Glory and declare that it is a flag that waves over a free country. In these modern days we hear very much about that flag and about the institutions over which it waves. I am not of those who worship the flag. I have no respect for the stars and stripes, or for any other flag that symbolizes slavery. It does not matter to me what others may think, say, or do. I propose to preserve the integrity of my soul. I will give you a transcript of my mind and tell you precisely what I think. Not very long ago the President of the country [William McKinley], in the attitude of mock heroics, asked who would haul down the flag. I will tell him. Triumphant socialism will haul down that flag and every other that symbolizes capitalist class rule and wage slavery. I am a patriot, but in the sense that I love all countries. I love the sentiment of William L. Garrison: “All the world is my country and all mankind are my countrymen.” Thomas Jefferson once said: “Where liberty is, is my country.” That is good. Thomas Paine said: “Where liberty is honored, that is my country.” That is better. Where liberty is not, socialism has a mission, and, therefore, the mission of socialism is as wide as the world."

Excerpts from Debs's 4th of 1901 July Speech in Chicago

06/18/2026

Forthcoming biography American Socialist: The Life and Legacy of Eugene V. Debs by Shawn Gude is available for preorder now! Preordering shows how much this kind of work matters and helps bring Debs to new readers, so claim your copy now and share widely. Link in comments 🔗

03/02/2026

02/05/2026

Coming up Friday, Feb. 6th: WFYI's Emmy Award–winning documentary “Eugene V. Debs: The Revolutionist” comes to Pullman!

Join us for a story of labor, resistance, democracy, and hope…
Free admission — RESERVE YOUR SEATS http://bit.ly/Debs_Pullman

Join Allison Duerk, Director of the Debs Museum at Pullman Exhibit Hall for for a special screening of Eugene V. Debs: The Revolutionist followed by a short discussion of the film, the man, and how the Pullman Strike changed everything.