Eugene V. Debs was an American labor leader and socialist politician born on November 5, 1855. He played a significant role in the founding of the American Railway Union and was a key figure in the Pullman Strike of 1894, which aimed to improve working conditions for railroad workers. Debs was known for his passionate speeches advocating for workers' rights and social justice. Throughout his life, Debs ran for the presidency of the United States five times as a candidate for the Socialist Party. He believed in the importance of collective ownership and sought to address economic inequality. Debs was imprisoned for his anti-war activism during World War I, further solidifying his legacy as a champion of social change.