National Coverage

The mine strikes and battles that took place in the West Virginina coal fields in the early 1920's were the United States largerst labour strikes as well as the largest armed uprising since the the civil war. Despite these record breaking occurences there was limited local coverage and next to no national news on the events.

From the brief timeline of events, the news outlets that did cover the strikes only highlighted actions taken by the mining companies and the federal government to paint them in a more postive light and as the "good guys". Striking miners were publicized as "rebels" and negative impacts to their side were occurences to celebrate. 

The Battle of Blair mountain holds an important place in local and national history but has never truly gained the publicity and covereage it deserved. Most of the history of the events surrounding the mine strikes have been omitted from West Virginia history, the legacy and stories of the mine strikes live through the unionization movement of today as well the novels, folktales, and exhibits today.