what was the triangle shirtwaist fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was a tragic industrial fire that occurred on March 25, 1911, in New York City. The Triangle Shirtwaist Company was a sweatshop that manufactured women's blouses, and it employed mostly young immigrant women.
The fire started on the eighth floor of the factory and quickly spread due to the highly flammable materials and locked exit doors. The workers were unable to escape, as the exit doors had been locked to prevent theft and unauthorized breaks. As a result, 146 workers, mostly young women, died in the fire.
This devastating incident shed light on the dangerous working conditions and lack of safety regulations in factories at the time. It sparked public outrage, leading to the formation of various labor and safety reforms. The Triangle Shirtwaist fire became a pivotal moment in the history of workers' rights in the United States.