Mike kubic, a former correspondent of newsweek magazine, discusses the mistakes that led to this deadly disaster, as well as the drive for safer working conditions that followed. Dramatic and defining moments in american history come vividly the life in the cornerstones of freedom series. The locket surviving the triangle shirtwaist fire is a historical fiction novel written for ages 9 to 12. By this time i was sufficiently americanized to be fascinated by. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire by jessica gunderson.
How the horrific tragedy of the triangle shirtwaist fire led to. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire government of new york. This is a quiz to see if you actually read and paid attention to the triangle shirtwaist article. I was deeply engrossed in my book when i became aware of fire engines racing past the building. Recalls the 1911 tragedy, a fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city, that killed 146 people and explains how this disaster led to reforms that protected the health and safety of american workers. It tells the story of galena, an eleven year old russianjewish immigrant who lives in new york city in 1911 with her family and works at the triangle shirtwaist company factory with her older sister anya. The brown building is a tenstory building that is part of the campus of new york university nyu, which owns it. The fire killed more than 145 people and led to numerous health and safety laws. These factory workers, mostly young female immigrants from europe working long hours for low wages, died because of inadequate safety.
The triangle shirtwaist factory fire american workers 9781599350998. At the time of the fire, the triangle shirtwaist factory was the largest manufacturer of womens shirtwaists today known as blouses in the country. Multiple factors locked doors to prevent workers from leaving early or stealing materials. May 12, 2008 a short documentry about the triangle shirtwaist fire of 1911. The mindset that survived the triangle shirtwaist fire by. As a result, on march 25, 1911, a fire broke out in the triangle shirtwaist company in the asch building in downtown manhattan. Be prepared to share your ideas with the rest of the class. This gruesome moment in american labor history has received its just due in several books. My curiosity led me to a spare and forceful book, the triangle fire. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire, new york, new york. The fire started at the end of the work day and as mostly immigrant garment workers tried to escape, their way was blocked by a.
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. Immediately download the triangle shirtwaist factory fire summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching triangle shirtwaist factory fire. The fire also led to the creation of groups that worked to improve conditions for women sweatshop workers in manufacturing. An engineer reading the book would have liked to see a sketch of the factory floor, exits, pictures of the fire escape. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire was a horrible tragedy that ultimately changed american labor unions and labor laws. On march 25, 1911, the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city caught fire and in about half an hour killed 146 people, the majority of them young women. Mar 01, 2017 on march 25, 1911, the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city caught fire and in about half an hour killed 146 people, the majority of them young women. Burlingtonbased fomite press released a shirtwaist story last month. The mindset that survived the triangle shirtwaist fire. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire the new york public. Each book includes expanded subject coverage, subheadings, informative sidebars, glossary terms, timelines, and additional resources, as well as an attractive new design and dramatic photographs. The fatal event resulted in numerous factory workers deaths and stunned the public. The work week was ending at the triangle waist company factory in lower manhattan, and the men.
Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Commonlit the triangle shirtwaist factory fire free. For 90 years, it stood as new yorks deadliest workplace disaster. 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. 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. Due to locked doors, unsafe fire escapes, and hazardous working conditions, this tragic fire caused the deaths of 146 people. Triangle shirtwaist fire inspires vermont artists book. On march 25, 1911, 146 workers perished when a fire broke out in a garment factory in new york city. Firefighters arrived at the scene, but their ladders werent tall enough to reach the upper floors of the 10story building.
They were employed at making shirtwaist by the triangle waist company, the principal owners of. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire 1911 the new york times. The work week was ending at the triangle waist company factory in lower manhattan, and the men and women who operated the sewing machines. Newspapers catch humanity at its best and worst, both the pleasant and the tragic.
The triangle shirtwaist factory fire in 1911, a deadly fire swept through the triangle shirtwaist factory, killing about 150 workers. This book is a very personal and gripping account of the fire on march 25, 1911, at the triangle shirtwaist company located on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors of the asch building in new york adjacent to washington square park, where 146 young immigrant women were either burned to death or leapt from the ledges of the building. Conditions at the triangle shirtwaist factory most of the workers were young immigrants, russian jews or italians, with some german and hungarian immigrants as well. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire by elaine landau. The triangle shirtwaist fire of 1911 historians talked about the legacy of the triangle shirtwaist fire in which 146 garment workers died on march 25, 1911, in new york september 1, 2015.
Fiction and nonfiction about the 1911 triangle shirtwaist factory fire that claimed the lives of 146 garment workers. Still listed in annual almanacs because of its ferocity, the fire breathed new life into labor organizations and crusades for greater industrial regulatory power, especially by the state. On march 25, 1911, a fire broke out on the top floors of the triangle shirtwaist factory. Watch triangle fire american experience official site. Terms in this set 18 who made up the workforce in myso garment factories. 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.
Triangle shirtwaist company fire, 1911, fire fighting. Books, law 11 comments in susan meissners a fall of marigolds, we meet two women separated by a century but both profoundly affected by tragedy. In fact, because its written for children, getzingers writing is very clear and straightforward, and not bogged down by a lot of unnecessary detail. It was the deadliest workplace accident in new york citys history. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire by jacqueline dembar. One hundred years ago today, the triangle shirtwaist fire killed 175 people who were either trapped or leapt to their death to escape the flames. The triangle shirtwaist factory is best known for the unique fashion blouse they produced and the horrific fire that killed 146 workers, women who might have lived if the owners had been forced to ensure safety standards in the factory. The triangle shirtwaist strike american experience. Mar 25, 2011 the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which took place 100 years ago today, was a tragic incident in new york citys history but also a turning point in the early labor movement. Having been so closely acquainted with this building and its story, i was excited to come across a related piece of sheet music. On saturday, march 25, 1911, a fire broke out on the top floors of the triangle shirtwaist factory.
Mourners honor victims of new yorks 1911 triangle shirtwaist company fire at the mount richmond cemetery in staten island on march 1. Book recommendations, author interviews, editors picks, and more. The triangle shirtwaist fire the fire that changed america. Fire escape of asch building after the triangle fire, new york city, 1911. Dramatic and defining moments in american history come vividly the life in the cornerstones of. Discusses the 1911 fire that killed 146 new york garment factory workers, the conditions that led up to it, and some of the legislation that came about to prevent the occurrence of similar disasters. The triangle shirtwaist fire the fire that changed. The book, which includes 148 color prints, has been nominated for a 2016 jewish book council award. Triangle shirtwaist factory women strike, win better wages and hours, new york, 1909. 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.
A dropped match on the 8th floor of the triangle shirtwaist factory sparked a fire. As factory workers prepared to go home after a long d. Tells the story of the fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city on march 25, 1911. At the triangle factory, women had to leave the building to use the bathroom. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire study flashcards quizlet. Trapped inside because the owners had locked the fire escape exit doors, workers jumped to.
The story of working women in america, pantheon books. On march 25, 1911, a fire broke out at the triangle shirtwaist company factory in new york city. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire by donna getzinger. The triangle shirtwaist fire fishwrap the official blog. Readers will discover what caused the fire, and learn how new safety regulations and procedures help prevent such deadly tragedies today. The lessons of the triangle shirtwaist fire are still. This is a terrific book about not only the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, but also the. Sep 20, 2006 on march 25, 1911, a notorious fire at the triangle shirtwaist factory on washington square in new york claimed the lives of 146 people, mostly young jewish and italian immigrants. Triangle shirtwaist factory fire new york, new york. Factory girls recalls the horrific triangle shirtwaist fire. The triangle shirtwaist fire remained the worst industrial fire until 1993, when a toy factory in thailand burned down, killing 188. Written by a labor organizer named leon stein and published in 1962, the book was both. On 25 march 1911 the worst industrial fire in the history of american capitalism killed 146 employees of the triangle shirtwaist factory in new york city. Jan 18, 2017 triangle shirtwaist factory women strike, win better wages and hours, new york, 1909.
Written by a labor organizer named leon stein and published in 1962, the book was both harrowing and somewhat frustrating. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire disasters in history by jessica gunderson, charles barnett iii, et al. 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. But the fire alone wasnt what made the shirtwaist makers such a focal point for. On march 25, 1911, the triangle shirtwaist company factory in new york city burned, killing 145 workers. In october 1909, max blanck and isaac harris, the owners of the triangle shirtwaist factory, fought back against striking workers. Fairfield university and author of a 2011 book, the triangle fire, protocols of. Please answer the following questions using the documents. The book opens with her transcribed recollections in a commemorative booklet published 50 years after the fire by the international ladies garment workers union. Some burned to death, but most jumped out of the windows, and fell to the pavement. What the triangle shirtwaist fire means for workers now. Readers will discover what caused the fire, and learn how new safety regulations and.
Sep 01, 2003 the triangle shirtwaist factory fire in 1911, a deadly fire swept through the triangle shirtwaist factory, killing about 150 workers. The victims who are now lying at the morgue waiting for someone to identify them by a tooth or the remains of a burned shoe were mostly girls from 16 to 23 years of age. Uncovering the history of the triangle shirtwaist fire. The triangle shirtwaist factory fire of march 25, 1911, was the deadliest industrial disaster in u. Watch triangle fire american experience official site pbs.
Uncovering the history of the triangle shirtwaist fire history. Later, it also caused important changes in the law. Thirty minutes later, the fire was over, and 146 of the 500 workersmostly young womenwere dead. A novel twist on the triangle shirtwaist factory fire j. Mar 25, 2018 on march 25, 1911, a fire broke out on the top floors of the triangle shirtwaist factory. Firefighters arrived at the scene, but their ladders werent tall enough to reach the impacted area.
The triangle shirtwaist factory was a sweatshop housed in the top three floors of a 10story brick building in new. Apr, 2019 conditions at the triangle shirtwaist factory most of the workers were young immigrants, russian jews or italians, with some german and hungarian immigrants as well. Recorded books the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. This is the site of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, an industrial disaster in which 146 garment workers lost their lives. Trapped inside because the owners had locked the fire escape exit doors, workers jumped to their deaths.
Conditions at the triangle shirtwaist factory 1911. Nov 21, 2015 triangle shirtwaist factory fire, new york, new york. Buy a cheap copy of the triangle shirtwaist factory fire. Some were as young as 12 to 15 years old, and often sisters or daughters and mother or cousins were all employed at the shop. The triangle shirtwaist factory was a sweatshop housed in the top three floors of a 10story brick building in new york city. The fire that changed america paperback august 16, 2004. It remains one of the deadliest workplace disasters in u. Nov 21, 2003 at the time of the fire, the triangle shirtwaist factory was the largest manufacturer of womens shirtwaists today known as blouses in the country. List at least 35 facts about the fire that you find in the sources. How the deadly triangle shirtwaist factory fire shocked a nation. But it was the most murderous fire that new york had seen in many years.