For the first time, the small community of Port Morien hosted hundreds of people Wednesday for a ceremony honouring those who died in the coal mines.

To Bobby Burchill, it was only fitting to mark Davis Day in the place where coal mining began in Cape Breton.

"We want Davis Day to express our history and show our history, and where better than a place where it all started," said Burchill, with the United Mine Workers.

Port Morien's mining history goes back to 1720, when coal from the area was dug up for Fortress Louisbourg. The coal fed the Industrial Revolution, fuelled two world wars and many battles between miners and mine owners.

It was during one of those confrontations in 1925 when miner Bill Davis was shot and killed by coal company police in New Waterford.

Davis's great-grandson, Sheldon MacDonald, is proud that his son and daughter can celebrate Davis Day, a day recognized by the province.

"For him to hear that his great-great-grandfather was a hero and hear them speak that way makes me proud, and he's very proud to hear that," MacDonald said.

This is the first time Davis Day ceremonies were held in Port Morien, which is mainly a fishing community.

Not only does the community have a long history with coal mining, Burchill noted that it's also next to Donkin, where underground coal mining could make a comeback if a company proceeds with its plans.

Ceremonies were held Wednesday in other mining towns across Nova Scotia.

In Springhill, former CBC journalist Jack McAndrew reflected on his time covering the 1958 disaster that killed more than 70 miners. He described how he felt embraced by the community.