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Breaker boy eating during a food break at a coal mine in Kin
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Breaker boy eating during a food break at a coal mine in Kin
Breaker boy eating during a food break at a coal mine in Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA Date: circa 1900
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14243889
© Mary Evans/Library of Congress
Break Breaker Coal Eating Kingston Mine Pennsylvania
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of respite for a young 'breaker boy' during a coal mining day in Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA, circa 1900. The boy, dressed in ragged clothes and with coal dust smeared on his face, takes a bite of his meager meal during a brief food break. The coal mine, a symbol of the industrial revolution and the backbone of America's growing economy, was a harsh and unforgiving environment. Breaker boys, often as young as six years old, worked long hours in the mines, sorting and separating coal by hand, risking injury and inhaling dangerous coal dust. Their small size allowed them to work in the narrow spaces between the coal cars and the breaker machines. The conditions were grueling, and the boys were paid meager wages. During their short breaks, they would eat simple meals, usually brought from home, to fuel their bodies for the next shift. The photograph poignantly illustrates the stark contrast between the harsh realities of coal mining and the brief moments of relief and nourishment that the breaker boys were able to find. The image is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the children who labored in the coal mines during America's industrial era.
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