A tongue of flame licked at her fingers, and she dropped to death. Remembering the triangle factory fire today marks the 100th anniversary of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 people, most. The triangle fire occurred soon after a fatal accident in a lamp factory in newark, new jersey, on 26 november 1910 and major industrial disasters at the monongah mine in west virginia on 6 december 1907 and at the cherry mine in illinois on november 1909. It was the deadliest workplace accident in new york citys history. Identify the facts surrounding the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. Write down three questions that you would like answered about this event. The triangle shirtwaist company factory was located in the top three floors of the asch building in manhattan. Hirsch examined a wide array of vital records and publications and conducted conversations with families of the victims in the creation of this list.
Why the triangle shirtwaist factory fire makes for a complicated. Describes the 1911 triangle factory fire, the conditions surrounding the disaster, and its effect on industrial safety after the event. Learning from the triangle shirtwaist office fire allied. Ironically, during this time period the fire fighting equipment in new york city could only reach up to the seventh floor.
Katharine webers triangle has the potential to be a very interesting read a sort of literary detective story crossed with historical fiction. Conditions in the triangle shirtwaist factory were cramped, flammable materials were piled up, fire escapes shoddily constructed, and most of the elevators in the building werent working. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire killed 146 garment workers, most of them young immigrant women, on march 25, 1911, in new york city. A dropped match on the 8th floor of the triangle shirtwaist factory sparked a fire. Events surrounding the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. Class members use primary source documents to research the tragedy and how it lead to the creation of labor unions and new labor laws. What you may not know about the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. As it was, two staircasesthe number the triangle factory hadsufficed. In 19 the national safety council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safety issues, was formed. The triangle shirtwaist factory used the eighth, ninth, and tenth floor. The shock of horror that passed through the community at the awful news that one hundred and fifty workers, mostly women and young girls, were burned to death in the triangle factory fire has of necessity diverted the attention of the public from the decision of the court of appeals of this state annulling the recently enacted workmens compensation law. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire in the greenwich village neighborhood of manhattan, new york city, on march 25, 1911, was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in u. May 15, 2007 katharine webers triangle has the potential to be a very interesting read a sort of literary detective story crossed with historical fiction.
People were looking at pictures of families claiming their deceased family members, political cartoons made strong statements of the carelessness and neglect of business. That same year at the meeting of the second safety council, there was a session on fire prevention where they addressed progress in fire suppression techniques, the importance of fire exits, and how both. The fire ignited peoples interest in workers safety, in fair wages, in establishing dignity for americas working men and women. October 15, 1910 the triangle shirtwaist company factory at the asch building passes a routine fire inspection. The executive offices on the tenth floor were called, but no one warned the workers on the ninth floor, where tables with sewing machines lined the floor from almost one end to the other. See more ideas about triangle shirtwaist factory fire, fire and society problems. Jennifer rosenberg is a historian, history factchecker, and freelance writer who writes about 20thcentury history topics. Watch triangle fire american experience official site. The fire killed more than 145 people and led to numerous health and safety laws. Although the owners were acquitted, the fire eventually resulted in stricter safety. Checkout the new famous trials website at the new website has a cleaner look, additional video and audio clips, revised trial accounts. This fire helped spur unions to grow and protect workers. States department of educations teaching american history grant program.
Also includes selected information on sweatshop conditions and investigations and reforms following the fire. The brown building is a tenstory building that is part of the campus of new york university nyu, which owns it. This is a quiz to see if you actually read and paid attention to the triangle shirtwaist article. Exactly 79 years to the day after the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, another tragic fire occurred in new york city.
The 1909 uprising of the twenty thousand and the 1910 cloakmakers strike. Genweee girls health history knowledge new york city prevention safety tragedy triangle shirtwaist factory fire workers young women post navigation. In this lesson, learn of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire and how negligence caused the death of many workers. Safe conditions came at a high price the lives of 146 factory workers who died in the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. The triangle factory was l shaped, with stairwells in the far corners of the l and an enclosed air shaft formed by the inner side of the angle. The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers 123 women and girls and 23 men who died from the fire. In 1911, one of the most devastating workplace accidents in u. It is estimated that more than 100 workers died every day on the job around 1911. Empty water buckets on the afternoon of march 25, a saturday, 500 people were working in triangle s factory, which occupied three floors in a building that had. Powered by create your own unique website with customizable templates. Esther gottesfeld, the last survivor of the notorious 1911 triangle factory fire a real event is dying at the age of 106. What floor had no idea of the fire until it was too. Understand the role this tragedy played in creating laws and regulations to.
The directors and officers of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire memorial cordially invite you and your guest to attend our sixteenth annual memorial scholarship fund raiser march 23, 2017 honoring tsffm clara lemlich award winners class of 2017 mary anne trasciatti, ph. As we remember the 100 year anniversary of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire of 1911, it still remains one of the most deadly workplace disasters in american history. November 25, 1910 after many garment factory fires, one in newark kills 25 workers, raising more calls for improved fire prevention in the industry. If one of these three is removed, the fire will be put out. In the middle of the fire triangle there is also a chemical reaction. Mar 27, 2001 the triangle factory was l shaped, with stairwells in the far corners of the l and an enclosed air shaft formed by the inner side of the angle. In just under 30 minutes, a raging fire on the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors stole the lives of 164 young women. How the triangle shirtwaist fire changed fire safety for. On march 25, 1911, a fire broke out at the triangle shirtwaist company factory. Facts about the triangle shirtwaist factory fire march.
The fire, in case youre fuzzy on the actual facts, occured in 1911 in new yorks largest shirtwaist factory which occupied the top three floors of the tenstory asch building on the corner of washington place and greene street now owned by nyu. The story is about the triangle factory fire which was, prior to 911, the worst tragedy that ever befell new york. June 1909 a fire prevention expert writes a letter to triangle shirtwaist management suggesting that they hold a meeting to discuss improved safety measures, but the letter is ignored. Jun 10, 2016 posted in fun fact friday awareness educate empower enlighten environmental health fire fun facts generation w. Soon, the nation focused on food safety regulations, but not on working conditions. Jun 16, 2003 contains a collection of resources held by the cornell university library on the triangle fire of 1911, including primary texts, some photographs, and oral histories. The fire came only five years after upton sinclair published his book the jungle, which detailed the plight of workers at a meat packers plant. He has cocurated numerous exhibitions including american enterprise, bittersweet harvest.
The nation was shocked to learn that conditions in the factory were directly responsible for the loss of life. In the early 20th century, the height of womens fashion was a. The owners, max blanck and issac harris, also kept stairwells and doors locked to prevent worker breaks and thefts. New york law left the matter of fire escapes to the discretion of building inspectors. The victims included at least include one 11yearold, two 14yearolds, three 15yearolds. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire, fatal conflagration that occurred on the evening of march 25, 1911, in a new york city sweatshop, touching off a national movement in the united states for safer working conditions. For 90 years, it stood as new yorks deadliest workplace disaster. Fun facts russian immigrants, isaac harris and max blanck, arrived in america with little money, but quickly prospered.
The triangle shirtwaist company opens a factory on the eighth floor of the asch building. The trial and debate that followed, pitted the owners right to control their business against their responsibility to provide a safe workplace for their employees. This is a short childrens nonfiction book about the 1911 fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york. Consequently, the triangle fire prompted some americans to condemn corporate greed. It is located at 2329 washington place, between greene street and washington square east in the greenwich village neighborhood of manhattan, new york city, and is best known as the location of the march 25, 1911 triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 people. Despite his role in the fire that claimed the lives of nearly 150 of his employees, by 19 triangle shirtwaist factory owner max blanck was back to business as usual, as reported in the september. Clara lemlich, a 23yearold ukrainian immigrant, rose to a position of power in the womens labor movement, becoming the voice that incited the famous uprising of the twenty thousand in 1909. Death is part of life and i dont believe in lying to, or hiding the truth from, children. Mar 04, 2011 april 11, 1911 triangle factory owners max blanck and isaac harris are indicted on six counts of manslaughter for the deaths of two of the 146 workers who died in the fire. Its believed a match or a cigarette ignited a fire that consumed the triangle shirtwaist factory, sparking a call for reforms by horrified new. The blaze, at the happy land social club in the bronx, killed 87 people, the. Nov 25, 2016 the story is about the triangle factory fire which was, prior to 911, the worst tragedy that ever befell new york. This site includes original sources on the fire held at the ilr schools kheel center, an archive of historical material on labor and industrial relations. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire took the lives of 146 people, mostly jewish and italian women who were as young as 16.
How the triangle shirtwaist factory fire transformed. The unions demands to improve fire safety were never met. Associate professor of rhetoric, hofstra university president, remember the triangle fire coalition. Originally designed to provide a resource to assist students in the writing of class papers. Triangle fire tragedy kills 146 factory workers cbs. These factory workers, mostly young female immigrants from europe working long hours for low wages, died because of inadequate safety. In march 1911, 145 workers were killed when a fire broke out in the triangle shirtwaist company factory in manhattan.
How the deadly triangle shirtwaist factory fire shocked a. In less than 20 minutes, 146 people were dead some burned to death. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire encyclopedia titanica. Ilr school the triangle factory fire cornell university. Checkout the new famous trials website at the new website has a cleaner look, additional video and audio clips, revised trial accounts, and new features that should improve the navigation. Associate professor of rhetoric, hofstra university president, remember the triangle fire coalition, inc. The 100th anniversary of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 workers in a new york city garment factory, marks a century of reforms that make up. Quick overview of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire government of new york. Uncovering the history of the triangle shirtwaist fire. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire occupational safety and.
List of victims of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. A year later, a fire in the factory killed 146 people in minutes. Department of labor the triangle shirtwaist factory. A dropped match on the 8th floor of the triangle shirtwaist factory on march 25, 1911, sparked a fire that killed 146 innocent people trapped inside. The building inspector for the asch building insisted that the fire escape proposed for the building must lead down to something more substantial than a. On march 25, 1911, 146 workers perished when a fire broke out in a garment factory in new york city. But events on the saturday afternoon of march 25, 1911 at the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city, stirred america to move to protect workers. Remembering the triangle factory fire today marks the 100th anniversary of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 people, most of them young women. The fire blew out of the 8th floor and was sucked up the airshaft, explodign into the 9th and 10th floors almost simultaneously. O n march 25, 1911, a fire, which broke out on the top floors of the 10story asch building in lower manhattan, new york, killed 146 of the 500 employees of the triangle shirtwaist company in one of the worst industrial disasters in the nations history. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire, one of the nations most deadly and horrific, led to some of the nations strongest changes in worker safety in the manufacturing industry. Within 15 minutes, 146 of the factorys workers were dead.
Clara lemlich and the uprising of the 20,000 american. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire it was the deadliest workplace accident in new york citys history. Most of the employees were young immigrant women who worked in cramped space for 12 hours every day. In 1911 a fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city took the lives of 146 workers. The publicity surrounding the fire pushed workplace safety issues onto the national stage. Max steuer, lawyer for the defense in the triangle factory fire trial, won the. Mar 22, 2011 one prominent factory, however, refused to recognize the union. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire, fatal conflagration that occurred on the evening of march 25, 1911, in a new york city sweatshop, touching off a. Triangle history triangle shirtwaist factory fire memorial.
The private industry of the american factory would never be the same. Within 18 minutes, 146 people were dead as a result. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire was a horrible tragedy that ultimately changed american labor unions and labor laws. For years, the triangle shirtwaist factory fire was the united states worst occupational disastera macabre symbol of the tragic hazards of the sweatshop system. The fire triangle is used to show the rule that a fire needs three things to burn. The accounts of the fire at the triangle waist company are wrenching. A factory, a fire, and worker safety march 27, 2012 by ellen terrell last year i missed the opportunity to write a post commemorating the 100th anniversary of the fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory that occurred on march 25, 1911.
Watch triangle fire american experience official site pbs. The kheel center is indebted to the hard work of independent researcher michael hirsch for this list. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire, 1911 list of victims adler, lizzie, 24, multiple injuries. On march 25, 1911, a fire, which broke out on the top floors of the 10story asch building in lower manhattan, new york, killed 146 of the 500 employees of the triangle shirtwaist company in one of the worst industrial disasters in the nations history. If fire becomes cool enough, it will not keep burning. More information about the victims list and its origins can. Cornell university ilr school the triangle factory fire. One hundred fortysix men, women and children were killed in a fire that occurred in a sweat shop on the lower east side of manhattan. The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers 123 women and girls and 23 men who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to their deaths. June 30, 1911 inspired by the tragedy, the new york state legislature establishes the factory investigating commission to investigate working conditions statewide. On march 25, 1911, the triangle shirtwaist company factory in new york city burned, killing 145 workers. Picture shows police or fire officials placing triangle shirtwaist company fire victims in coffins.
One prominent factory, however, refused to recognize the union. A yearold girl hung for three minutes by her fingertips to the sill of a 10thfloor window. An ad where a man shows off his jacket and text talks about the dangerous of antisweatshop advertisement, saturday. On march 25, 1911, there were 600 workers in the building when a fire started.