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Deadly 1921 coal miner revolt in West Virginia remembered

coal miner statue A statue of a coal miner is shown Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston, W.Va. This weekend, marchers are retracing the steps of thousands of coal miners who participated in the Battle of Blair Mountain in southern West Virginia. At least 16 men died in the largest U.S. armed uprising since the Civil Warbefore the miners surrendered to federal troops in early September 1921. (AP Photo/John Raby) (John Raby/AP)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Fed up with poor wages, work and living conditions, thousands of coal miners a century ago marched in an effort to unionize in southern West Virginia.

The result was in a deadly clash and the largest U.S. armed uprising since the Civil War. Some relatives of those involved will join others in retracing the steps that culminated in the 12-day Battle of Blair Mountain.

At least 16 men died before the miners surrendered to federal troops in early September 1921.

Multiple events are planned as part of the Labor Day weekend remembrance of the battle. One highlight is the three-day march starting Friday.