The 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire will be March 25, 2011. At that time, finally, a list of all the dead will be read aloud in commemoration of this horrible industrial accident which riveted the attention of New York and beyond in 1911.
- 100 Years Later, the Roll of the Dead in a Factory Fire Is Complete - New York Times, February 20, 2011
I ended up in tears over this story. It's been almost 100 years -- but it seems incredible that only now have all the dead been identified. This is a reminder of what life was like before Progressive Era reformers, including many women, and their heirs fought for and succeeded in making changes in laws and practices on working conditions, safety regulations and even working hours.
More about the fire and its context and aftermath:
Quick Overview of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire | Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Picture Gallery | Background: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory | The 1909 "Uprising of the Twenty Thousand" | 1910 Cloakmakers' Strike - the Great Revolt | 1911 Conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory | The Fire | Identifying the Victims, Newspaper Coverage, Relief Efforts | Memorial at the Metropolitan Opera House, Public Funeral March | Investigations, Trial | Frances Perkins and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire | Triangle Factory Fire Trivia
Comments
The story of the Triangle fire has always captivated and haunted me. As we approach the 100th anniversary of this horrific event, it is fitting that the last six victims have finally been identified and I am grateful to Mr. Hirsch for his work.
The current political atmosphere in our country reeks of hostility toward workers. Such rights as collective bargaining are under attack. It is vital that we all remember why unions fought for the rights of workers.