In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire brought the work of women (and primarily immigrant women) to the attention of the American public. No fire prevention or escape procedures were in place at the factory, so workers attempted to flee the building by any means possible.
Background Link:
Cornell University Site – The Triangle Factory Fire
Image Links
Download Image: Image of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on March 25, 1911
Download Image: Smithsonian Institute - Shirtwaist Photographs
Video Link
“The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire”
Primary Source Links
Primary Source Link One: Interviews with Isidore and Celia Saltz Pollack Cornell University - ILR School - The Triangle Factory Fire
Primary Source Link Two: Interview with Clara Lemlich
Primary Source Link Three: New York Times article “141 Men and Girls Die in Waist Factory Fire” transcription
Primary Source Link Four: Series of Photographs
Primary Source Questions for Students
- What does the photograph of the living conditions for garment workers tell us about their day-to-day lives?
- How can we tell that factory workers were both producers and consumers by looking at these photographs?
- Do these photos show different roles for men and women?