1. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on March 25, 1911 was the deadliest industrial disaster in New York History, causing the deaths of 146 garment workers, mostly women. The factory was located on three floors of what is now NYU’s Brown Building in Greenwich Village.

The tragedy was the linchpin that finally sparked change on worker safety and rights. The common practice of locking doors to stairwells and exits to prevent unauthorized breaks and theft caused many of the workers to jump out of windows or not escape at all. Legislation was developed to improve safety standards and the International Ladies’ Garment Worker’s Union was formed to improve sweatshop conditions.

Read about the quest to build a permanent memorial to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory victims.