Movement1911
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
A fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, killing 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women. The workers were trapped because exit doors had been locked by management to prevent unauthorized breaks, and fire escapes collapsed under the weight of fleeing workers.
Why It Matters
This tragedy galvanized the labor movement and led to sweeping workplace safety reforms, establishing the principle that government has a responsibility to protect workers from dangerous conditions.