5. The Triangle Factory Fire Took Place in a Building Now Part of NYU

New York University Brown Building

The Brown building at NYU—29 Washington Place—was the site the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of March 25, 1911. The fire occurred on the eighth floor, where the Triangle Waist Company garment manufacturer was located and many women and children worked here. 146 people, mainly young immigrants, died in the fire—either getting burned alive or jumping out of windows, and it is important to commemorate the victims and remember the victims of the Triangle Fire. This event was a tragedy and called for a re-evaluation of workplace safety and also workers rights. After this horrific incident, reform movements sparked and thousands of workers were inspired to change the industrial world.

Today, the Brown Building houses the chemistry and biology departments at NYU. Would you like to take classes in this building that housed this tragic site?