Description
The fire at the Triangle Waist Company was the deadliest workplace disaster in the history of New York, causing the deaths of 123 women and 23 men. This tragedy was used as a rallying cry to change unjust labor practices, such as the locking exits to minimize breaks for workers. Prior to the fire, unionization of garment workers was gaining traction and those members had already begun the push for better working conditions. Galvanized by the tragedy, protestors made some gains in creating first an independent body called the Factory Investigating Commission to investigate the conditions in factories and propose new legislation. Seen in the photo is one such protest that led to the investigation and new legislation. The sign on the left reads, "Ladieswaist and Dressmakers Union Local 25 We Mourn Our Loss." The sign on the right of the photo reads, "We Mourn Our Loss - United Hebrew Trades of New York."
Source-Dependent Questions
- In reviewing the photo, what were the most prominent symbols used by the protestors? Why was this so clearly displayed?
- How was having members of different unions so powerful in this protest?
- Consider that protestors had been trying in vain for improvements to working conditions in part because of corruption in the government by Tammany Hall. Why did a tragedy of this level help to move the cause forward?
Citation Information
"Demonstration of Protest and Mourning for Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of March 25, 1911," 5 April 1911. Courtesy of National Archives