On this day in 1907 a coal mine explosion at Monongah, West Virginia killed at least 362 workers. The total of workers killed could be more. A number of the miners took their sons into the mines to help. Estimates have run up to 500 or more.

The explosion is thought to have been caused by the ignition of methane ignited the coal dust in mines 6 and 8. The disaster left 250 widows and over 1000 children fatherless.  Most of the victims were Italian immigrants who did not speak english

Note- Monongah is located near Fairmont, West Virginia. Nick Saban the great football coach at Alabama is from Monongah.