The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Alaina treats herself on her birthday episode by talking about a tragic fire in the early 1900s. After the (primarily women and immigrant) workers of the New York garment industry began winning better conditions and pay, one factory lagged behind. Then, it burned down, killing 146 people in under 20 minutes. In the end, the owners made a profit on the insurance as the victims' families were left without their income. Is preparedness a substitute for systemic prevention? How do we focus grief into action? How do you place a value on human life?

Links!

• Cornell University's collection of documents on the fire
• Memorial to the (previously) unnamed victims
• Article on the Centennial observance
• UNITE HERE

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