On This Day: Pennsylvania miners die in explosion

American Hungarian Federation

It was On This Day in 1907 that the Darr Mine exploded in Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania. The explosion killed 239 coal miners, most of whom were Hungarian immigrants. The mine was part of the Pittsburgh Coal Company near the Youghiogheny River in Westmoreland County.

The explosion occurred around 11:30 a.m. as women were preparing for their husbands and sons to return home for lunch. Instead the earth rocked and they heard a loud noise. Dust and smoke poured out of the mouth of the mine.

A list of the victims can be accessed at: http://www.americanhungarianfederation.org/news_darrmine_victims.htm.

Sources

“1907-2007: The Darr Mine Disaster Commemoration” The American Hungarian Federation. http://www.americanhungarianfederation.org/news_darrmine.htm

“Pennsylvania miners perish in coal mine explosion” This Day in History, 1907. History.com.

On This Day is a prompt to further explore historical events.

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