Residents of the small mining town of Hillcrest Mines woke to a clear blue June sky. Morning shift came on duty at 7 a.m., another day in what was considered the safest and best-run mine in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
Certainly none of the 250 men on their way to work that morning had any inkling that two hours later they would be part of a tragedy that would forever form part of our national identity.
On June 18, 1914 a town of 1,000 lost 189 men, 130 women became widows and close to 400 children were left fatherless in a massive explosion - the worst mining disaster in Canadian history.
Ninety nine years later, extensive preparations are underway to commemorate the 100th anniversary Hillcrest Mine Disaster and to honour the spirit of the men and women who formed Canada’s earliest coal mining communities and one of its cornerstone industries.
From June 19 to 21, 2014, Crowsnest Pass Alberta will be host to dignitaries, entertainers, family members and other Canadians to remember those who lost their lives and to celebrate the spirit of the mining community.
