In November 1943, newspapers in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania reported that the region’s anthracite collieries had been asked by the Federal government to remain open on the holiday in order to make up for a coal shortage caused by the Second World War.

From the Pottsville Republican:

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Call on Mines to Work Thurs.

The Department of Coal Administration sent out a telegram to the Mineworkers and the Operators appealing for uninterrupted production on Thanksgiving Day.

It is pointed out that the need for coal is critical and the shortage is alarming. It is pointed out that time and half time is provided for work on Thanksgiving Day and miners will receive time and a half for work this Saturday if they work Thursday. The telegram urges work as a patriotic duty in this war emergency.

Coal operators today announced they would have their collieries ready for operation Thursday. It is believed that most of the miners will respond.

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The Republican followed up after Thanksgiving to say that more than 2/3 of the collieries remaining in operation around Schuylkill County worked on Thanksgiving Day 1943.

(Image: A photograph at a colliery on Schuylkill/Luzerne County border during World War 2 – Library of Congress)

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