Thanks to Dominic Candeloro, Curator of the Casa Italia Library in Chicago, for the invitation to share the story of the Cherry Mine disaster at the 2022 IA Literati Day. Special thanks to fellow writer and descendant of Italian immigrant coal miners, Terry Quilico, for the best introduction I have ever received.

The United States' worst coal mine fire for loss of life took place less than 90 miles from Chicago, yet remains a little known but important piece of U.S.A., mining, and labor history. My book, Trapped: The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster, is an extensive account of that tragedy and its aftermath.

I am proud to share Terry's introduction and my presentation.