Memorial held in Monongah for deadliest mine disaster in US history

MONONGAH, W.Va. (WBOY) — Wednesday marked a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Monongah Mine Disaster, an event that’s widely considered to be the worst mine disaster in U.S. history.

On Dec. 6, 1907, Monongah mines number six, and number eight suffered a large explosion that killed 361 miners. Although the explosion’s exact cause was never discovered , some theorized that it was caused by the ignition of accumulated dust and gas in the air.

To commemorate their lives, a candlelighting ceremony and blessing of the graves was held at the Mt. Cavalry Cemetery alongside the placing of a wreath. As part of the ceremony speeches were given by members of the Italian Delegation and other dignitaries.

“Unfortunately, in some cases the work that they were perusing led them to extreme sacrifice and so we are here to remember their work and the fact that they did this for their family,” Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia Cristiana Mele said.

Mele told 12 News that she brought many letters to the ceremony, including one from the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. She told 12 News about how 171 Italians from around 70 different hamlets in southern Italy were killed in the disaster and that each hamlet remembers the people it lost.

Vincenzo Arcobelli, with the General Council of Italians Abroad, talked about how Thursday, Aug, 8 is Italian Labor Sacrifice Day Worldwide, which is meant to honor the sacrifices Italian workers made when they left their homes to find work.

“And Monongah as we know is one of the most tragic disaster, mining disaster, that happened in the eastern United States and we are to honor the victims and make sure to keep alive this memory to pass to future generations to make sure this story stays alive,” Arcobelli said.

The remembrance will continue into Thursday, Aug. 8 and will feature:

• 10:00 a.m. – Dedication by Mayor John Palmer at Monongah Heroine Statue
• 10:10 a.m. – Opening remarks Vincenzo Arcobelli, General Council of Italians Abroad
• 10:20 a.m. – Ringing of the bell at the time of the explosion
• 10:25 a.m. – Closing remarks from Cristiana Mele, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia.
• 11:00 a.m. – Mass with Fr. Meo at Holy Spirit Church
• 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Luncheon provided by the Morgantown Sons of Italy at Holy Spirit Church

In 2007, a bell blessed by Bishop Bransfield was gifted to the Town of Monongah from the people of Italy for the 100th commemoration of the disaster . Two years later, Dec. 6 was declared “National Miners Day” in recognition of the work of miners and in remembrance of those whose lives were lost.

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