Trucking History – March-April 2025
March 1963
“Six Days on the Road” was recorded by Dave Dudley at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis. It was originally recorded by Paul Davis and released in 1961 but didn’t become a major hit until Dudley’s recording and release two years later. Dudley’s version peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and reached No. 32 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It was even hailed as the definitive celebration of the American truck driver. Sawyer Brown released its version of the song in 1997, which made it to No. 13 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
April 1, 1967
The U.S. Department of Transportation began operations in the Federal Aviation Administration building. The U.S. DOT was established by Congress to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and the economy through safe, efficient, sustainable and equitable movement of people and goods.
April 1998
About 25 years after the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association was established, OOIDA staff moved into a new three-story building in Grain Valley, Mo., with 87 employees and a membership of 39,000. All aspects of OOIDA membership are managed from the national headquarters, where all members are welcome.
March 16, 2000
Truckers converged on the U.S. Capitol to hold a convoy and peaceful protest for reasonable pricing, fair compensation and equitable taxation. OOIDA President Todd Spencer, who served as the Association’s executive vice president at that time, told those in attendance, “Our organization started in 1973 (due to) increased fuel prices, and that threatened the industry. Solutions take time, but if you do the right thing, those can be resolved. From those early days, we’ve resolved issues. We’re here today hoping, looking and encouraging our lawmakers to work with us to find the solutions to those problems.” LL