FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The United Mine Workers of American (UMWA) will observe the 56th anniversary of the Farmington #9 memorial service Sunday.
The event will be held at the Farmington #9 Memorial site off Route 250 in Mannington at 1 p.m.
On November 20, 1968, 78 miners were killed in an explosion and fire at the mine. Nineteen miners could not be recovered and remain entombed in the mine. The tragedy resulted in passage of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969, the first comprehensive mine safety and health legislation passed in Washington D.C.
UMWA President Cecil Roberts will be the keynote speaker. UMWA International Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson and UMWA District 31 Vice President Mike Payton will also attend the event.