Timeline of Coal History
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1742
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John Peter Salley and John Howard, on an expedition into the wilderness, discovered coal on the Coal River, near what is now Racine, WV.
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1817
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David Ruffner experimented with coal as a substitute for wood in the manufacture of salt. He opened a coal mine in Kanawha County, West Virginia and declared coal superior to using wood.
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1848
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The first coal miners’ union is formed in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.
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1875
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Coke replaces coal as the chief fuel for blast furnaces.
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1880
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First major coal strike in West Virginia at Hawk’s Nest. Governor Matthews sends in the militia.
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1890
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The United Mine Workers of America is formed in Columbus, Ohio.
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1890
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Office for the Inspection of Mines created.
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1896
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The first shipment of coal went out of Beckley, West Virginia.
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1902
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Mother Jones campaigns to unionize in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia.
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1902
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Anthracite coal strike in Pennsylvania. This strike was settled by intervention from President Theodore Roosevelt.
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1907
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Monongah Disaster - located near Fairmont, WV, to this day it is still the worst mine disaster in U.S. history. This disaster, along with three others nationwide at the same time, began the consciousness for a need for industrial safety legislation.
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1907
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A new field of smokeless coal, the Winding Gulf coal field, opened near Beckley.
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1912
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The first self-contained breathing apparatus for mine rescue operations is used.
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1912
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Mary Harris "Mother" Jones leads a march of miners' children through Charleston, WV.
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1912-13
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Cabin Creek-Paint Creek Strike - miners strike to gain recognition of the United Mine Workers of America. On three separate occasions, Governor Glasscock declares martial law and sends in troops.
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1913
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Mother Jones arrested in West Virginia and held in jail at Pratt, WV.
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1914
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Ludlow Massacre, Colorado.
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1920
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The Battle of Matewan.
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1920
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John L. Lewis becomes President of the United Mine Workers of America.
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1921
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Sid Hatfield is murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Welch, West Virginia.
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1921
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The Battle of Blair Mountain.
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1930
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Hard hat helmets for coal miners are introduced.
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1935
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National Labor Relations Act, called The Wagner Act.
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1952
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Federal Coal Mine Safety Act.
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1968
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Farmington Mine Disaster, Farmington, WV.
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1969
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Tony Boyle reelected President of the UMWA. Twenty-two days later, his challenger, Jock Yablonski and his wife and daughter were murdered.
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1969
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National Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, signed by Nixon.
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1972
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Buffalo Creek Disaster.
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1972
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Arnold Miller, President of Miners for Democracy, becomes President of the UMWA.
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1977
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The Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act is passed.
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1986
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The Clean Coal Technology Act is passed.
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1990
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The United States tops 1 billion tons of coal mined in a year for the first time.
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