On Jan. 25, 1890, the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers merged to form the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in Columbus. The constitution adopted by the delegates to the first UMWA convention barred discrimination based on race, religion or national origin, and vowed to improve the lives and working conditions of miners. The UMWA pioneered health and retirement benefits, collaborating with the federal government to create the UMWA Welfare and Retirement Fund. It also built eight hospitals in Appalachia and recruited young doctors to practice in rural coal field areas. Today the union is still working to eliminate black lung disease.

- Rebecca Goodman

Ohio Moments will appear here daily during 2003. Suggestions? Contact Rebecca Goodman at rgoodman@enquirer.com or 768-8361.