Sexy Coal Hype “G.E.’s Hot Coal Ad” 2005 General Electric’s ‘hot’ TV ad casts coal mining in an unreal light.		Strip Mining Politics “Ford Helps Strippers” …With 2 Vetoes, 1974-75 President Gerald Ford vetoes strip mine bills; Congress & activists fight back.
Towns Wiped Out “Buffalo Creek Disaster” Coal Dams Fail: 1972 125 dead, 4,000 homeless after coal-waste tsunami crashes through valley.		Coal & Politics “Coal & The Kennedys” 1960s-2010s JFK, RFK, Ted, Caroline & RFK, Jr — all gave voice to plight of coal communities.
Strip Mining History “Giant Shovel on I-70″ Ohio Fight: 1973 Shovel’s highway crossing spurs activist organizing & Congressional action.		Kentucky Activist “Mountain Warrior” 1950s-1980s Harry Caudill, author, lawyer and legislator, fought for Appalachia.
Annals of Music “Sixteen Tons” 1955-1956 Tennessee Ernie Ford’s hit song invokes hard lives of coal miners.		Video / TV Ad “G.E.’s Sexy Miners” 2005 Coal Ad General Electric’s ‘hot’ TV ad gives coal mining a look that’s not exactly real.
Big Coal vs. Small Town “Paradise” 1971-John Prine A country song about strip mining, coal power, & demise of Paradise, KY.		Strip Mining Foe “Harry Caudill” 1950s-1980s Best-selling “Night Comes To The Cumberlands” brought focus on Appalachia.

Date Posted: June 4, 2022
Last Update: June 4, 2022
Comments to: jdoyle@pophistorydig.com
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Article Citation:
Jack Doyle, “Coal History: Selected Stories,
1950s-2010s,” PopHistoryDig.com, June 4, 2022

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