The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire | History

A chronicle of a tragic fire that occurred at New York City's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911.
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[@wolfsden245]

I’m learning about this in school it is so tragic

[@cammywammy1330]

Me too

[@azcapone9876]

I’m here bc jschlatt

[@brumhelldah917]

So american

[@maryjackson8307]

Me to

[@zahrajaffe5113]

me too

[@robertt7069]

My grandmother worked across the street from this build and saw some of the women jumping out of the windows. This incident always haunted my grandmother till she died at 96 years old.

[@depressivschwul2377]

I’d imagine. Must have been something that was stitched into her memory im sure it was to anyone who saw another human use another choose a quick death vs a slow one. Can’t imagine what it sounded like as well. Poor souls may the now Rest In Peace.

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

Gruesome..😢😢

[@christinap-c]

I know this is an old comment but I’m curious. Did your grandmother ever talk about what the fire engines sounded like? I read today that someone in the library heard the fire engines. I’m struggling to imagine it because they were pulled by horses. I just wish I could ask someone.

[@geruner]

Having graduated from NYU... this building is in their ownership and a plaque marks this event. My grandmother was a seamstress and a member of this union.

[@obligatoryidiot]

@SgtBaker16 what a nice question to ask a stranger.

[@heart_beat_s354]

111 years later. Fire exits, sprinklers, Fire code inspections. Remembering the people on Labor Day Weekend 2022. Peace.

[@Mantikal]

To add insult to injury (from Wikipedia) "In 1913, Blanck was once again arrested for locking the door in his factory during working hours. He was fined $20 which was the minimum amount the fine could be."

[@ivanibarra6542]

This incident was a major contribution for what we Call OSHA . Even though OSHA didn’t officially start until 1971 , this fire was a major roll in it .

[@cuyier3394]

Anyone here from school ?

[@kirp005]

No I’m just here bc of schlatt

[@KdotDaDonnn]

Meh

[@vprsixk9839]

Ya lol

[@karlmsm]

Mhm

[@avalovesmusic4310]

Meeeee!

[@Madvillainy48]

That's insane that people worked there for 12 hours everyday in poor conditions for pennies and died there. Those people had no lives and I find that to be the most tragic. It's even more sad that places like this still exist.

[@snowballeffect7812]

That's what happens when the labor movement weakens. Thankfully, workers are demanding their rights again across the globe.

[@peteyprimo7173]

“Officially “ 9 hours M-F and 7 hours on sundays for the equivalent of $3 an hour. Of course in reality most were forced to work longer than that for less pay

[@personaking7844]

They had Sundays off.

[@peteyprimo7173]

@@personaking7844 can’t believe these entitled millennials . Back in my day I would pay my employer for the privilege of working in their factory

[@wraith3289]

look im only here because of lunch club

[@turd__ferguson]

thanks schlatt

[@shock7564]

Thanks schlatt

[@buttersyrup7062]

Thanks Schlatt

[@danyyy7361]

Thanks schlatt

[@clockwisedraws]

Thanks schaltt

[@TheHeartshapebox]

Did they ever made a movie of that story? It is a story that should be told in the fashion world.

[@AnimetionsNation]

The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal (1979) 2 hrs long on yt

[@franceskronenwett3539]

A few of the survivors attempted to testify against the factory owners in court, but because their knowledge of the English language was either very poor or non-existent, those representing Blank and Harris naturally made mincemeat out of them.

[@Pi_Likethenumber]

@@franceskronenwett3539 Also because they were "just women" so their opinions didn't really matter to anyone else...

[@capncake8837]

@@franceskronenwett3539 The owners also didn't actually break any laws, so they weren't punished. Locking people in factories was common back then and not illegal.

[@pancake_detective]

...anyone else here because of Jschlatt

[@pancake_detective]

@@linuxmorpheus9241 same, then I got curious

[@xavier4698]

Im gonna mediashare this one day

[@pancake_detective]

@@xavier4698 wonderful idea

[@Duckybacca]

what did schlatt do this time

[@squidnugget6570]

I can still hear the screams...

[@Alabama2534]

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Disaster ( New York City, March 25, 1911 ). 113 years ago every since that tragic incident that occurred in New York City history before the events of September 11, 2001. RIP 🪦 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory employees. You will never be forgotten or missed.

[@itsmee._6338]

i have to watch this video my teacher told me too

[@fightervic190]

Same

[@purplelovrgrl]

*to

[@mikasasimp5765]

Same

[@cammywammy1330]

Same

[@emmagamache1999]

Same

[@jacksongraham9408]

Thaaaank you. This is info I needed for an exam, and my teacher did not give me. Super tragic story, sad that sometimes we need to learn the hard way first to be smart.

[@christinap-c]

Your teacher seems lacking. This is important information.

[@coolerFILMS]

had to watch this for school but it was actually a really good video, and its sad that stuff like this still exists in places.

[@christinap-c]

It really does.

[@zahidethalcantara2840]

Learned of this incident in 5th grade 2012 and even went to the original building where it once was

[@funnemanboy]

:thinkin about the triangle shirtwaist factory:

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Makes me kind of think of 9/11

[@walkingamongthesad1901]

It’s so crazy that they thought it was a normal day and thought they would live their lives out and happy imagine going to school and or work then have a fire that you CANT escape from so sad and their parents this Gould happen to no one

[@onlyteagan]

I saw this video last year by my language arts teacher, it was very sad when I first saw this may they all rest in peace.

[@darkhistory6647]

A very interesting video, as always, especially being from the City. Its history channels like these on youtube and video topics such as these that have inspired me to start my own historical information channel.

[@rbswag1336]

Now imagine this, but jschatt telling the story

[@multiplemysteries5242]

To the victims of this tragedy: I'm sorry you had to lose your lives in order for positive change to be made.

[@GiordanDiodato]

as they say, regulations are written in blood.

[@Greg07623]

The new memorial for the fire was just recently installed and is tremendously impactful and moving. This is something very worth going to see.

[@geomodelrailroader]

Blanck got a light sentence but he WAS THE PRIME SUSPECT! Before the fire Blanck locked the doors and threw his cigar into the trash this is what caused the fire.

[@bonnie6624]

Jschlatt, Noah and Josh sent me here ngl.

[@maddiejazayeri765]

@Daniella Life 2005 dont be rude

[@andreawitherspoon1611]

I feel so bad for all those teenage girls and adult women who died on the tenth floor and it really sucks that the message did not got sent to the ninth floor and it makes me really sad that the safety measures they had did not work properly, like what the heck. 😭😢😢😢

[@Wypno]

i washere from lunch club

[@spaghettidogpal]

thank you, never learned this in school

[@georgecoons6872]

thank you for teaching this future that past. amen.

[@davidarango4679]

Can a segment also be made (if it hasn't already) about the Iroquois Theatre fire? That was the worst theatre fire in US history. It took place in Chicago in 1903 and 602 people lost their lives. The theatre was touted in the press as being "Fire proof." Many of the victims whom were women and children were attending a matinee. Due to several bribes, lots of corners were cut just to get the construction done quickly so the owners could open the theatre right on schedule. As a result, fire escapes hadn't been finished or installed, fire exits hadn't been marked and their doors opened inwards and also been nailed shut to prevent people from sneaking in. Plus the smoke vents on the roof had also been nailed shut which prevented the smoke from escaping. Plus, metal gates had been closed in the stair cases to keep people from getting to the lower level where the better and more expensive seats were. The so called asbestos curtain that was supposed to be closed in case of a fire was actually made of a cheaper material that easily caught fire. All contributed to the huge loss of life.

[@ph11p3540]

I can't get over how such evil company owners were not found guilty of the manslaughter charges. The policies were intentionally and premeditated. This is why people hate the super rich

[@peteyprimo7173]

Money

[@piperbarry7853]

I just finished reading Ashes of Roses, by Mary Jane Auch. It’s really depressing, but still a good book.

[@nikolgroth5193]

I did a play of this accident in highschool and it was so sad to experience this like those girls did. It was crazy reinacting those young girls jumping out windows and burning to death💔

[@jumper7625]

You know why? Locked.

[@oZone844]

They couldn't figure it out

[@owoowo4494]

This is so epic. My social studies teacher made me watch it 10/10 would watch again

[@cailynburks8922]

I’m in a play that is about this so I’m doing my research!!

[@jamieshows1564]

11-12 hours a day, every day. Think things have changed? Wrong. Kelloggs workers were working the exact same hours and days. They decided to strike. 1400 were fired and replaced.

[@beanpasteposts]

The General Slocum fire was a similar disaster. It wiped out most of NYC’s early German immigrant population and was the worst maritime disaster next to the explosion of the Sultana. It was soon overshadowed by the sinking of the Titanic just eight years later.

[@AmySims-hm2er]

Sad 😢 tragedy event

[@Sakana420]

I think it was Katie Weiner who had to leave her sister behind after desperately looking for her, and being the last to get in the last trip of the elevator. There were men who helped too though there.

[@taylorae116]

From Michele Anderson : "The garment workers at the company had been attempting to unionize to gain better wages and improved working conditions. The factory’s management responded by locking the workers into the building. Fabric scraps, oil and hot machines crammed into rooms on the upper floors of the ten-story building quickly unleashed an inferno within the building. With the exits blocked, girls attempted to use the rusted fire escape or jump from windows into the fire department’s dry-rotted nets, only to plunge onto the pavement in front of bystanders below. The tragedy was exasperated by the failure of the U.S. government to protect its citizens who were working in deplorable conditions, but it was difficult for anyone who saw the corpses lined up on sidewalks waiting for identification to deny the need for labor reform and improved fire safety equipment. The deaths unified female labor reformers of the Progressive era."

[@franceskronenwett3539]

Those young lift operators were heroes. They risked their own lives to bring workers down to safety. They did this until the flames and smoke eventually made this impossible.

[@JW-uy2on]

It was arson. The shirtwaist was going out of style, profits were down, the workers had just won a wage increase and a work hour reduction and the owners had four previous suspicious fires at their companies. The fire enabled them to cut their losses, collect a handsome insurance payout and fade into obscurity.

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

😮😮😢😢

[@peewee8964]

The irony behind "Asch Building"

[@okiagreebut5609]

2:42 not suprised

[@davidoropeza5277]

Just watched this on the day it happened. Thank you History Channel.

[@blossomblue1613]

Mr. Bauer sent me here, help

[@sirjohn2u]

And what arrived in the mail this very day? The DIARY OF A SHIRTWAIST STRIKER by Theresa S. Malkiel...Thanks for posting!

[@seswairatlhogo2413]

This was a school assignment lol

[@evanfabri7297]

How incredibly relevant [astonished emoji]

[@georgecoons6872]

my grand pops 1919 station 228 brooklyn.

[@peteyprimo7173]

The fire was in 1911

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Those poor ladies😢😢😢

[@alliebartolomeo5825]

Shoutout to Mr. Rekatas’ class!! 8th grade social Studies woooo hoooo

[@alliebartolomeo5825]

Who likes this?? Gimme a name

[@AntiofItAll]

I'm in 7th and learned this

[@hydraulichydra8363]

At 2:20 "OY VEY IT'S -ANOTHER- I MEAN IT'S _A_ SHOAH!"

[@kobyschechter8163]

Many of the victims were young Jewish women who were forced to work on Saturday which is our Sabbath (day of rest). Now in 2023 if I say I have religious obligations management in any workplace has to respect that BY LAW. Not just on Saturdays but many holidays throw the year. I’ve never worked in a Jewish environment EVER. Those young women died for us so we can have better working conditions and lives outside of work. Tomorrow is Saturday March 25, 2023. 112 years later. An absolutely terrible tragedy that should’ve been prevented. RIP to all the 146 young women who were killed.

[@vlogging_rhii317]

I'm happy Katie Weiner Survived even tho she got her feet slammed on the elevator 😭😭

[@Roycesraphim1]

By dying from the fall, you mean hitting the ground or impaled on fenceposts

[@Audioobscure]

I went on a date into NYC and he took me here

[@amichiganboiwhosereallazy1544]

Wassup fellow US History Student

[@olivia5417]

omg this is tragic!!

[@HSYJMK]

i'm here because people still say "this isn't the right way to ask for things" -- things being human rights.

[@anthonym.adraws1070]

I just wanna know what is the new code for the Triangle shirtwaist company

[@charlesderosas5577]

There was a segment in this adult animated movie called "American pop" of this event.

[@marionconnell5074]

Sorry he did not mention the important role that Frances Perkins played in getting the new workplace safety laws passed in NY and later nationwide.

[@tommykelly6840]

I work in that building at nyu

[@keviiiboo7460]

Did anybody catch the irony in the name of the building?

[@Dan-eh2jp]

Jocko podcast 297, phenomenal introduction reading an excerpt from a paper article outlining some of these details- sad story

[@sqilos]

BANG on da head

[@prasanthraj89]

Here from Same as ever

[@lynnharris3530]

There is a lot of speculations of the triangle fire being started by a match or a cigarette. The truth is we will never actually know.

[@applause4474]

Nobody cares. Don't comment stupid stuff that no one cares about.

[@bargaingrian1833]

True, although it’s such a small thing it really makes you wonder

[@marcusatm]

I wonder if the both Blanck and Harris would be found guilty today.

[@benberlin57]

@Marcus Torres Morales...speaking from 3 years in the future, I have a sneaking suspicion there are people in power who would happily wish to go back to the good ol' days when managers/owners had a steel-grip on their workers and could lock gates with impugnity. That and the folks who would say it was the womens fault for not I dunno using their skirts to beat back the flames or some s***.

[@booklynsworld5923]

Asch building... more like Ash building It's been over 100 years guys.

[@ostrich67]

Too soon!

[@GiordanDiodato]

People wondering why we have regulations? *THIS* is why

[@maybenexttime5725]

Im here because of lunch club

[@onx1]

sent here from a certain businessman..

[@mamajen4jesus]

Watching this before reading the book "Ashes of Roses."

[@Lux_creates]

who else is watching this for school?? 🤔🏫

[@theirishleprechaun9933]

Hellos fellow classmates 😀

[@idosomething7545]

HELLO!

[@mepsomething4221]

its funny because im watching this because of class and other people are saying there here because of jschlatt when i just so happen to be watching his videos not doing my work

[@thedarkknight871]

a fire started there and it was called the Asch building ha

[@beamng929eeee7]

Logangster723 this isn’t really for jokes

[@QrystalQlear]

What stands out is the cause of the fire, a cigarette. No one should have been allowed to smoke in those conditions! It's insane that people were smoking in there. To this day, cigarettes are the single greatest unnecessary activity that causes deadly fires, largely because most morons who smoke, always carelessly discard their lit cigarettes without putting them out.

[@average.6079]

The broken elevators, locked stairway, rusted fire hoses, a rickety fire escape, and people literally jumping down elevator shafts and windows, but the cigarette is the most memorable to you??? I'd say the blatant corruption in the NYC court system is far more important in this story.

[@addamz3277]

11 to 12 hours a day is bad?!? Me, who works at least 14 hours a day with no sitting and no break🤔

[@andreawitherspoon1611]

And one more thing why did they let the owners go when they did trial they should have been Guilty🤬.😡😤😤😤😤

[@LixiesSunshine]

I learned about this last year pre-pandemic in American history 2 lol

[@hebneh]

It has happened before and it will keep happening. In the USA there are far better regulations now, but fires still cause terrible disasters…and in less developed countries this same situation exists abundantly.

[@dsavage8033]

Came here cuz my OSHA class

[@dexthegrump]

Triangle fire... 1911? Twin towers attack 9-11-01 Coincidence? I don't think so >->

[@Dari_Gon]

Furry_Beast I think ur getting somewhere

[@Mitzi73]

What about the building name? The ASCH building! The irony.

[@average.6079]

I guess you can make any conspiracy legit by using a random coincidence. They were both fires that happened in new york??? COINCIDENCE I THINK NOT

[@dmmchugh3714]

Read David VonDrehle's excellent book, "Triangle, The Fire that Changed the World". The book outlines the labor conditions of that era as well as the fire and its aftermath. 3/25/1911 - 3/25/2023 Never forgotten. 🔺️ ✌️ ☮️

[@johnfoltz8183]

Incidences still happens to sweatshops overseas. 😢

[@sdfdgsdv]

im an MEP engineer. trying to make the world safe.

[@miles-bo8ei]

pov: youre here from schlatt

[@dldissolving2005]

I had to do a report on this while in business school. Dropped out. Turns out I'm intelligent yet simply not built for white collar gigs, and I don't really have the stomach for working in a hospital; that's why a dropped out a second time. Tech school is were I found my true calling... HVAC!!

[@DivineDart]

Gilded Age and no regulations ladies and gentlemen

[@Libertarianach_na_h-Alba]

Your official story forgets to mention there were 50 story buildings around in that same time period but government-run fire department only had ladders that could reach just above the 6th floor of a 12 story building. Today, your fire department has ladders that can reach the 8th floor, yet you have a private truck company that can produce fire trucks and have trucks available today that can reach 30 to 33 stories high, this far exceeds what your current government-run fire department can, so why hasn't your government-run fire department got these trucks available when you are in a city with buildings that exceed more than 12 floors? Why does a private company have trucks where the ladders can exceed 30 floors? I'll tell you why: because that's the price you pay for putting fire service into the hands of the government.

[@Shazzington]

Wow, this is basically a caricature of libertarianism. Good on you for consistency, I guess; it takes chutzpah to look at the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and say "You know what the real problem is here? Too much government and not enough free markets." The sad truth is, if fire service wasn't in the hands of the government, there's no way the cheapskates who ran that factory and that building would have paid for fire service. Instead of firefighters trying and failing to reach the fire, watching falling bodies rip through life nets, you would have had nobody trying to help out, just the bystanders watching people fall.

[@Libertarianach_na_h-Alba]

@@Shazzington In case you didn't know, the owners of the factory and of the building were exonerated of the blame, the blame was placed squarely on the fire department owned by the government, why? • the ladders they had were too few. • they were inadequate as they could only reach between the 6th and 7th floors. • the fire department was late in showing up to the fire. Funny thing is, there's a private truck company that produces engines with ladders that reach between the 30th to 33rd floors today. Explain why government fire department engines ladders can now only reach to the 8th floor, how did that happen that a private truck company is giving government a showing up?

[@emmagamache1999]

For some reason our social studies class only learns about your state- ny

[@martha5338]

2019?

[@maddiewalters3848]

Ay we learin dis in my 1st period dam

[@donaldpalmer6625]

I wonder what would have been so wrong with having those people work only on weekdays so they could have days off on weekends.

[@amanda1271]

Their bosses wouldn't get as much money

[@Jhihmoac]

...And to think what has taken place in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh within the past decade or so has made what transpired here over 100 years ago look like a Saturday Afternoon Picnic!

[@antis6]

Don’t compare tragedies. They are all bad

[@turke5067]

who thought it was a good idea to name your place the triangle shirtwaist factory like, why triangle?

[@convex7456]

R.i.p