7. Commemorating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

The 106th Commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire will take place on March 24, in honor of the 146 workers who lost their lives during the tragedy, which took place on March 25, 1911. The Triangle Factory was located on the top three floors of the Asch Building, on the corner of Greene Street and Washington Place. Most of the people who perished in the fire were young, immigrant women. Many were teenagers, who worked twelve-hour days, seven days a week. Of the four elevators in the building, only one was operational that day, which forced the workers to use the building’s two staircases. However, one staircase was locked. The tragedy brought widespread attention to sweatshop conditions in factories, and led to increased union organizing and regulations. The commemoration will take place on the corner of Washington Place and Greene Street, on Friday, March 24th from noon to 1 pm.