The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 was one of the deadliest industrial disasters in U.S. history, killing over 140 workers, mostly young immigrant women between 14-48 years old. Managers had locked exit doors to prevent theft, trapping many workers inside as the fire spread. The fire increased support for improved factory safety standards and workers' unions to fight for better conditions in sweatshops.

2. Most of the victims were recent Jewish
and Italian immigrant women aged
sixteen to twenty-three; the oldest
victim was 48, the youngest were two
fourteen-year-old girls.
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4. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in
New York City on March 25, 1911, was
the deadliest industrial disaster in the
history of the city of New York and
resulted in the fourth highest loss of
life from an industrial accident in
U.S. history
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6. Because the managers had locked the
doors to the stairwells and exits – a
common practice at the time to prevent
pilferage and unauthorized breaks –
many of the workers who could not
escape the burning.
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13. The fire led to legislation requiring
improved factory safety standards and
helped spur the growth of the
International Ladies' Garment Workers'
Union, which fought for better working
conditions for sweatshop workers.
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