Week of Events Marks 100th Anniversary of Deadly Triangle Fire

The 100th anniversary of the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City will be commemorated next week with events in several cities. A full list can be found here.

On March 25, 1911, 146 people died when fire broke out in the 10-story factory employing young immigrant women, many of whom jumped to their death to try to escape. The owners had locked the factory's doors, believing workers would use the exits to steal fabric. An excellent history of the fire is presented here by Cornell University.

Events include a symposium in Washington, D.C., on Monday about the evolution of job safety and health over the last century. Numerous films, music and theater performances, archive and art exhibits are planned in New York City, where the labor community will gather at the site of the fire just east of Washington Square Park at 11 a.m. on March 25.

The Labor and Working-Class History Association is holding events in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Iowa City. Click here for more information.

If your local holds an event or takes part in a community remembrance, please send information and photos to news@cwa-union.org.