“United Pianoforte Makers” union is formed, but during the meetings the members speak only German, so it’s quickly renamed “German Pianomakers’ Society”. Probably because of the language barrier, merely 250 out of 1,200 Manhattan piano industry workers join the union. This event, even though limited in its apparent influence, is to be considered the beginning of the union struggle in American piano manufacturing industry – involving Steinway & Sons and shaping its history.