It’s been called the biggest battle on U.S. soil since the Civil War and it’s hard to believe it happened in 20th Century America.

In the summer of 1921, a series of escalating skirmishes between coal miners and mine operators led to the “Battle of Blair Mountain.” It pitted some 7,000 armed miners against 3,000 lawmen and strikebreakers disrupting the miners’ attempt to unionize West Virginia coalfields. And it involved plans by President Warren G. Harding to use U.S. military planes to attack American civilians with bombs and machine guns.

Though things did not work out well for the miners, the battle raised awareness of the deplorable conditions miners faced across the country. A decade later it helped inspire a larger and stronger labor movement in the U.S.. which is now diminishing.

The long battle with a coal company to save and preserve Blair Mountain as a historical site finally happened.

A 2021 celebration of that movement is being held:

Battle of Blair Mountain Centennial Kick-Off Event, Friday, Sept. 3, in Charleston, hosted by the Core Team.

United Mine Workers of America to retrace the 50-mile Miners March to Blair Mountain from Marmet.

See   90 YEARS LATER: BATTLE AT BLAIR MOUNTAIN CONTINUES - Crimes Against West Virginians And Nature

And   THE NEW BATTLE OVER BLAIR MOUNTAIN - Historical Designation Short Lived, Over 100 Miners Died In 1921, Government Ordered Bombs, Gas Dropped

Also   SAVING BLAIR MOUNTAIN - WVs Famous Historical Site

And   JUDGE RULES AGAINST BLAIR MOUNTAIN HISTORICAL DESIGNATION - Door Open For Mountaintop Removal Of Coal