Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902

The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was a significant labor conflict in the U.S. where over 140,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania demanded better wages, shorter working hours, and safer conditions. The strike disrupted the coal supply, which was crucial for heating homes and powering industries, especially as winter approached. President Theodore Roosevelt intervened, marking the first time a president took a neutral stance in a labor dispute. He facilitated negotiations between the miners and mine owners, ultimately leading to a settlement that improved conditions for workers and set a precedent for future labor relations in America.