The MINE WAR OF 1921 — The Matewan Massacre & Blair Mountain Battle

Blair Mountain Historical Marker

The Battle of Blair Mountain 100 Years Later, Logan County, WV

Produced by Shanta Covington and hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry, August 25, 2021

PHOTO — This historical marker along W.Va. Route 17 in Blair, W.Va., is the only visible sign of the 1921 battle here between thousands of armed, unionizing coal miners and the thousands of law enforcement officers backup up my National Guards plus US Army Troops.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the largest labor uprising in the United States, the Battle of Blair Mountain. In August 1921, 7000-10,000 coal miners began marching together against corruption by the coal company, making it the biggest labor uprising in the history of the United States.

Chuck Keeney, Author of The Road to Blair Mountain and great grandson of Frank Keeney, a labor leader during this time, joins us to talk about the historical significance of this battle and why it is so relevant to discussions about unions and collective bargaining today.

The Summary Transcript is available here.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoTd47Ip69Q

The Blair Mountain Battlefield was relisted on to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2018.