Labor & Employment Law

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Fire

By Tula Connell

March 25 is the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, which killed 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, many of whom jumped to their deaths from the 10-story factory to escape the fire because they were locked inside.

Union members and progressive allies are commemorating the tragedy in many ways. Here are some you can join.

• The New York City labor community is taking part in the March 25 events at the former site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. The ceremony, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is at the corner of Washington Place and Greene Street in Manhattan. The event is sponsored by the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition.
• Beginning this week, numerous organizations are sponsoring archive exhibits, film screenings, performance pieces and more. Get the full list here.
• New York City?s Cooper Union is hosting an evening of  music, spoken word poetry and solidarity in commemoration of the 146 victims. The Metropolitan Klezmer will performing klezmer music written about the tragedy, uncovered 100 years later. Details here.
• The Labor and Working-Class History Association (LAWCHA) is holding events in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Iowa City. More info here.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 16, 2011 (boomark / email).