On This Day In Alabama History: First Blood Shed In Miners’ Strike

Alabama News Center | May 20, 2018 @ 5:00 am

By Alabama NewsCenter Staff

May 20, 1894

The first bloodshed of the 1894 miners’ strike occurred when a strike breaker was killed May 20 by striking miners near Birmingham. In a show of strength and discontent, 8,000 miners left the job in April, demanding better wages. The strike followed similar walkouts across the country. The strikes were peaceful until mine operators began trying to reopen with strikebreakers. Powerful coal companies prevailed and the strikes were over by August, as mines resumed operation with the help of state militias and leased convicts.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.

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