Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. I remember learning about this event back in high school, and the details of that day and the lives of the people involved had a lasting effect on me and my notions of things like labor laws, feminisim, and immigration.
Around 4:30pm on March 25, 1911 a fire broke out on the 8th floor of the ten-story Asch Building. In just 18 minutes New York City would become a changed place. 146 people died in the fire, and mostly as a result of an EGREGIOUS disregard for safety on the part of the factory owners who had LOCKED THE DOORS on a daily basis, ensuring that workers would be kept inside until the very last minute of their work day. Most of the victims were teenage girls (the youngest said to be just 14 years old) and recent immigrants who spoke little to no English.
Please visit the following site and read about this moment in American history.
We'll be talking about the trial and how it relates to our current discussion on the nature and power of forgiveness in the face of opression. Answer the questions from the worksheet I handed out in class today and be prepared to hand it in on Monday. Have a great weekend!
-Ms. K.
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