Battle of Blair Mountain centennial set in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The 100th anniversary of a deadly armed uprising by organizing coal miners in southern West Virginia will be commemorated over Labor Day weekend.

A website about the centennial events says United Mine Workers union President Cecil Roberts plans to participate in the re-creation of a march that ended in the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain. Thousands of coal miners trying to unionize joined in the march.

Sixteen men died before the miners surrendered to federal troops.

The 12-day battle was the nation’s largest armed uprising since the Civil War.

Organizers say marchers will walk 15 miles each day starting Sept. 3 in Marmet.

It’s expected to finish Sept. 5 in Sharples.

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