On this day, March 25, in 1911, 146 garment workers were killed in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City.
The owners, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, fled to the 10-floor building’s roof and were later charged with manslaughter.
Most of the workers were young immigrant Jewish women. Many died because the exit door had been looked. Sixty-two people jumped or fell to their death.
At the trial, defense attorneys made the government’s star witness repeat her tearful testimony, and argued that the worker appeared coached. A jury acquitted the businessmen.
In 1913, Blanck was arrested again in 1913 for locking the factory door during work hours.
The fire led to sweeping legislation to improve safety standards and spurred the growth of unions.
-Scott McCabe
