Juanita Hadwin Collection of Triangle Fire Lantern Slides

March 25, 1911 was the date of the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of New York City. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory caught fire and caused the deaths of 146 garment workers, 123 women and 23 men. They died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to their deaths.

Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits, there was no easy escape when the building caught fire. This unfortunately was a common practice at this time in history.

The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped with the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, which worked to get better working conditions for sweatshop workers.

The building that was the factory is now designated a National Historic Landmark and a New York City landmark. The factory is located in the Asch Building, at 23-29 Washington Place in the Greenwich Village, now known as the Brown Building and part of New York University.