"One of the most significant events in the struggle for labor laws in America played out in Las Animas County in the spring of 1914. With the control of much of Colorado's coal mines in the hands of just a few companies, miners grew increasingly intolerant of low wages and dangerous working conditions. Despite efforts to suppress union activity, the United Mine Workers of America called a strike in September of 1913. Over the next few months, tensions escalated as the striking miners ransacked several mines. The dispute culminated in a violent clash on April 20, 1914. Despite this tragic outcome, the event sparked national outrage and led the way of workers' rights in America." - Rocky Mountain PBS, April 22, 2013
Watch the entire half hour program from the "Colorado Experience" series above or at Rocky Mountain PBS for an engaging introduction to this "seminal event in what came to be called the Colorado Coal Wars." (Wikipedia) Rocky Mountain PBS also provides links to sources for further information, below the video at "Learn More". For the Trailer (21 sec.) to this program, click here on the Rock Mountain PBS YouTube Channel.
Many thanks to Tyler Donovan of Rocky Mountain PBS for permission to include this program here.
For information on historian Howard Zinn's introduction to the Ludlow Massacre, see this January, 2010 Susan Green article in The Denver Post, published just after Zinn died.
