The Cherry Mine Disaster, one of the deadliest mine disasters in United States history, is commemorated by two monuments in Cherry, Illinois. On November 13, 1909, 259 miners died in the underground Cherry Mine fire. As a result of the disaster, the state established stricter safety regulations and in 1911, the basis for the Illinois Workers Compensation Act was passed. The first monument was erected by the United Mine Workers of America, District No. 12, and dedicated in 1911. The second monument, dedicated in 2009, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the disaster.