EKB News

Mingo County Young Democrats President Justin Marcum says, "Coal miners are the backbone of West Virginia and America." Now, those miners will be honored as a resolution will name December 6th. as National Miners' Day. The date was chosen because it's the date of the great coal mining tragedy at Monongah, West Virginia, the worst mining disaster in U.S. history. On the morning of December 6, 1907, around 10:28 A.M., a series of explosions and fire spread through two connected underground Fairmont Coal Co. mines, No. 6 and No. 8, shaking the earth as far as eight miles away, shattering pavement and buildings, hurling people and horses to the ground, knocking streetcars off their rails and officially killing 361 miners. Marcum initially drafted the resolution in March while attending the West Virginia Young Democrats convention in Wheeling, and the resolution was introduced by Congressman Nick Rahall on November 4, 2009. Miners will now be recognized for their service, dedication and contributions to this country.