Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 1911
In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City became the site of one of America's most infamous industrial tragedies. A fire broke out in the garment factory, and 146 workers, mostly women aged 14 to 23, died because the owners had locked all the exit doors to prevent theft and unauthorized breaks.
Ironically, just a few years earlier, employees had gone on strike demanding shorter workweeks, sturdier fire escapes, and unlocked doors. Their demands were denied. Adding insult to tragedy, the factory's owners survived and profited roughly $400 per worker from insurance payouts. The disaster outraged the public, leading to sweeping fire safety reforms, mandatory unlocked doors during work hours, and stronger fire escape standards that shaped modern workplace safety laws.