Today in History: Anthracite Coal Strike
Today in History–October 3–the Library of Congress features the Anthracite coal strike. On this day in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt met with miners and coalfield operators in an attempt to settle the five-month-old strike; he was the first U.S. president to intervene in a labor dispute. Roosevelt appointed a commission to help negotiate terms of a settlement, which they did. Just twenty days later, on October 23, 1902, the miners returned to work. Learn more about this and other coal miner labor struggles by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more information and resources related to the Anthracite miners and other coal miners.
Anthracite coal strike: 1902 historical newspaper coverage
Anthracite coal books & articles
“Anthracite Coal” The New-England Magazine Volume 1, Issue 6, December 1831
“The Anthracite Coal Fields of Pennsylvania, and their Exhaustion” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 12, Issue 11, November 1880
“Notes on the Preparation of Anthracite Coal” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 19, Issue 6, June 1887
“Coal is King: The Supply of Anthracite Coal in Pennsylvania” The Century; a popular quarterly Volume 55, Issue 6, Apr 1898
Anthracite coal miner image set
Songs and Ballads of the Anthracite Miners
“Coal Miner’s Song” (audio)