Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911

Why Were the Doors Locked?In this episode, we examine the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, one of the deadliest industrial disasters in American history and a tragedy that transformed workplace safety laws across the United States.On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out inside the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. Within minutes, hundreds of garment workers found themselves trapped as flames spread through the upper floors of the building.Key TakeawaysThe Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire occurred in New York City in 1911.Many victims were young immigrant women working in the garment industry.Locked exit doors became a symbol of unsafe factory conditions.Workplace safety laws were strengthened after the disaster.The event remains one of the most significant industrial disasters.The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire changed American labor history forever.Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death and a tragic factory fire. Listener discretion is advised.Image Credit:Image of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on March 25 – 1911, first published on the front page of The New York World (March 26, 1911).Author: UnknownSource: Cornell ILR Triangle Fire ProjectLicensed as Public Domain / Wikimedia CommonsSourcesTriangle: Remembering the Fire (HBO Documentary, 2011)Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History – Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Primary Source Collectionhttps://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/triangle-shirtwaist-factory-fire-1911University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law – Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Trial Accounthttps://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/triangle/triangleaccount.htmlCornell University ILR School – Triangle Factory Fire Project (History of the Fire)https://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/story/fire.htmlCornell University ILR School – Mary Domsky Abrams Survivor Interviewhttps://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/survivorInterviews/MaryDomskyAbrams.htmlCornell University ILR School – Sweatshops and Strikes Backgroundhttps://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/story/sweatshopsStrikes.htmlCornell University ILR School – Sarah Friedman Dworetz Survivor Interviewhttps://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/survivorInterviews/SarahDworetz.htmlEncyclopedia Britannica – Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Firehttps://www.britannica.com/event/Triangle-shirtwaist-factory-fireCornell University ILR School – William Shepherd Testimonyhttps://trianglefire.ilr.cornell.edu/primary/testimonials/ootss_WilliamShepherd.htmlNational Park Service – Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (Brown Building)https://www.nps.gov/places/triangle-shirtwaist-factory-brown-building.htm