3477969 Public meeting to give support to mining families, 1893; (add.info.: Public meeting to give support to mining families, 1893. The first national coal strikes took place during the nineteenth century. In 1893 many miners went on strike because the price of coal had dropped so, in order for the colliery owners to make more profit, they reduced the miners\' wages. The miners rejected this reduction in wages and they were \'locked out\' of work and were not allowed to return until they accepted the reduction in pay.); Universal History Archive/UIG; out of copyright.