The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - Horror in Manhattan - Extra History 

On March 25, 1911, tragedy struck an ordinary factory in an ordinary neighborhood. Today, our workplaces in the United States are safer and better, because of ordinary people back then who took a stand for workers' rights. Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/extracredits

Fun fact about Clara Lemlich: She spent the last days of her life attempting to unionize the staff of her nursing home. That woman had no off-switch.

Even with 9/11, there were thousands who survived because regulations like these made it easy for them to evacuate the towers before they fell.

I love how you start talking about these independent Jewish women who were finally finding freedom and work in America, then cut to “In 30 minutes, 146 of them will be dead” Feel good video of the century

Fun fact: Rob wrote this script back in October. It's great that you folks are out here drawing conclusions on your own about what this could mean for modern-day issues. History has a great way of making us think about the present. --Belinda

I watched a documentary regarding this incident and other similar factory fire tragedies a long time ago. Those who jumped off the building from the fire weren't necessarily trying to survive. They just wanted to end it quicker. Some reports state they might have wanted to make sure their loved ones could still identify their bodies rather than being burned beyond recognition. I felt sick. Imagine the despair in order to make that decision.

"Every regulation is written in blood" is a powerful and universal truth.

Frances Perkins was also, critically, responsible for helping draft the Social Security Act. She's an unsung hero.

its sad that tragedy is what sparks this kind of reform. but i'm glad the reform happens and quality of life improves

"in 30 minutes, a hundred and fourty six of them will be dead" HOLY SHI- That beginning though!

I like how history hinges on such small details like the one worker who was careless enough to toss a cigarette (IN A CLOTHING FACTORY!!! What an idiot.) Reminds of the London fire of 1666 where a baker left an oven open next to dry wheat flour.

There's a lot to this story that really speaks to the time, and there's a whole bunch you probably had to cut down for time. One part of it is the lawyer for Harris and Blanck, Max Steuer, who was one of those lawyers everyone knew and feared at the time. One of the big reasons they got off the charges was because the witness the prosecution used didn't speak english very well (because she was an immigrant) and the DA thought that Steuer wouldn't press her too hard for fear of looking like a bully going after a young girl. Steuer's response was to instead ask the witness, Kate Alterman, to repeat her story again, and then again, and then again. The coaching she had gone through because of her poor english sounded more like she had been coached with a false story due to the repetition of specific phrases, which threw just enough doubt on the eyewitness testimony that there was no preponderance of evidence and the jury acquitted. He managed to tear down her story while doing nothing more than calmly and politely asking for clarification and repetition of the testimony. After the verdict, one of the jurors made a statement about why: "I believed that the door was locked at the time of the fire, but we couldn't find them guilty unless we believed they knew the door was locked." It's not important to the overall story of the historical importance of the labor movement, but it is a nice little keyhole insight into how the justice system works and how sometimes those cases you think are slam dunks turn out to not be the case. Also, I hope that it might help some people realize that as good as these videos are, you should use them as a springboard to do further research on your own. History is not a series of events. It's a weave of millions of things converging, and there will always be more to learn about an event than you think there is. It's always worth taking the extra time to dig more into something, you'll be amazed at what you can learn.

lunchclub: lost in LA schlatt rlly loves this in that vod

Frances Perkins? *The* Frances Perkins? The first woman to serve in the US cabinet? Now there's a person I'm sure could make an interesting EH series.

Oh that’s a nice intro “In a few minutes 146 will be dead” Oh..

And THIS is why unions and regulations are important. Without them, we would quickly slip back into the age of the robber barons. They will do whatever they think they can get away with.

Ouch, this was a heavy one.. Damn, I had no idea this happened..

“Remember the Triangle, and get to work” Now that’s a good quote to remember

As an organizational psychologist, i'm so glad you guys shed some light on this subject of safety and health in the work place and also the introduction of humanist progress to the industrial world. All this reforms and the ones to come after proved to be better not only for the well being of the worker and to ensure their fair and comprenhensive treatment, but also for the companies efficiency wise in the long run. This also helped close the gap between workers and administrations, creating a more efficient communication process and reducing both human loss and property damage by establising safety guidelines and programs. I could go on all day on how important this was for human rights, creating more effient and developed industries, and the modern world in general, but the important thing is that you guys created something valuable for students to start their own inquiries on the subject. Congrats on another great video, and best wishes.

I've known about this story for years, because my great uncle prosecuted the case against the factory owners. It's so cool to see it show up on Extra History!

I remember writing a paper on this tragedy in my first year of high school. I wept through my research and made sure that I put out the best, most well researched report for these women. Even now, I cry at the thought of those who died in such a horrible manner.

It is important to understand the past's history that coincidentally connects to today's world. Even after forced labor has been disapproved in the U.S., it currently still being used all around the world. This video reminds us that working in an unsafe environment is still in this society.

"In thirty minutes, a hundred and forty-six of them will be dead." Woah, that escalated quickly.

Something that would be haunting is seeing the claw marks on the doors. What I hate is how the owners never faced any true consequences.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to help you realize that you can spark change, and that someone needs to spark change to keep everyone safe.

I make fun of it a lot but this is something I actually remember from history class in high school (though they covered it in way less detail). Sad that it took this kind of disaster to enact any kind of reform though, as I understand it things were like this for pretty much the entire Industrial Revolution to this point. Also that little bit at the end has _so_ many applications today :^)

*gasp* extra history uploading 2 videos in 2 days *gasp*

You showed FDR in his wheelchair! As a wheelchair user myself that makes me so happy!

:thinkin about the triangle shirtwaist factory:

The "Asch" Building? Seems like a macabre premonition.

I go to NYU and we use the building as a science building, every now and then there’s a few flowers and a wreath put there, and once heard a union rally when I had a class in the connected building... I pass it every now and then, and I always think about this every time

Oh hey, Leelee did the art for this episode! Sweet!

As a Canadian, this was an incredibly informative and inspiring episode regarding US Labour Law. It was inspiring to learn how such an awful situation yielded such positive results. Thank you for shining light on a not so well known event!

You know, the triangle is apso the greek symbol delta, which is used in equations to represent the change of a variable, so I think it's kinda fitting

It's a little sad that these things that seem like common sense today, were painted as "progressive" could say "left leaning" ideas. Treating your workers with some common decency shouldn't be partisan

I like that this video took the time to point out that a political machine like Tammany hall wasn't inherently anti-reform, that was only a side-effect of its previous voting base. They cared about getting elected, not the specific laws that were put into place.

Dan does a good job of making things feel heroic and brings tears to my eyes

Thank you so much for covering this tragedy. If you could please do a series on the Union movement that would be excellent.

Although not specific to this video I'd like to say that the way you've increased video production without at all decreasing quality is pretty incredible.

Amazing video! I had already studied this topic briefly in one of my history classes, and was tempted to ignore the video. But I decided to ignore the voice in my head and watch it anyway and see what else I could learn. Boy am I glad I did that. Not only did you provide new knowledge, but your description really made the scene come alive and feel much more 'real' than just seeing casualty numbers in a book. And that hopeful message in the end was really inspiring. Thank you for reminding me that even if we think we know a subject, we probably don't and there are so many different ways to view that topic :D

I fear we're shifting back towards the sort of environment that enabled this tragedy.

Smoking Kills

As a firefighter and a history buff I love that you guys covered this. This is a landmark for the fire service and also sparked major changes in the fire departments of new york city and the rest of the country.

I've heard them eulogized half a dozen times, defined by how they died. Told as if they were some fable of a far off time, the girls who fought and died trying. But never before this have I seen the honored.

Thanks so much for featuring this event. We take the rights and labour protections that we enjoy for granted and it’s great to see a video that teaches us about the price paid by others for us to have these rights today

Here is a lesson: Don't be afraid of rich and powerful groups, fight for justices and common senses.

I was Max Blanc in my high school play of the Triangle Factory Fire. This entire travesty is absolutely fascinating to me, and you did an amazing job researching it. Great work on the video!

Why does schlatt know about this..

Thanks for making this, when I learned about this in school I just learned about it as a horrible accident that was then corrected. My teachers never emphasized the hard work and diligence that was required to make all the reforms a reality. It really helps to know that people have always faced struggles and been able to make changes for the better. Just like now adays in which more reform is definitely needed

You had me at Theodore Roosevelt. Can't stop the Bull Moose!

"The executives made it to the roof, escaping." The second biggest tragedy of the night.

these videos are the reason why i love this channel so much! you are putting humans and humanity, as in treating humans in a respectful and forward way, in the center of your topics. in a time, where there seems to be so many self centered money and power focussed people in leading positions, it is so important to see the other side. the people that suffer from that. who have been - and still are - suppressed but also that there is change and hope for change if you act and come together to overcome these people and eventually the problem itself. thank you people at EC for your great work. This is my favourite channel on earth!

Thank you so much for covering this. Very few people know about it and I think this type of thing is important for everyone to learn from.

I love every Extra History episode, they always fill my belly of historical knowledge that are both interesting and fun to discover :D

“Remember the triangle” Why do I feel like we’re about to get illuminati jokes

Every once in a while, it is nice to remember that history is not always made with swords and cannons, but with pens and words. As a teacher, I really struggle to make my students understand how this and other similar events are as important as Gettysburg or D-Day in shaping our modern world. Thank you Extra Credits! Now I have another tool to achieve that goal!

In our more recent times, Amazon refused to tell workers that a tornado was coming. In my town, the manager at an elder home had to literally violate orders given from her boss to evacuate the home with what would eventually turn out to be the deadliest wildfire in state history so far roaring down on them. Only disobedience saved their lives. The lesson of Triangle isn't learned yet

This is why we need regulations. This is why unions exist. This is why workers need to be aggressive when it comes to their rights and protections. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire wasn't the only or first catastrophe, it happened numerous times before and nothing was done about it because any means of addressing the dangers internally conflicted with the companies' bottom-line. Once society at large realized the risks people took everyday, and how mistreated they were by their employers, then and only then did the public put its foot down and forced legislation. That's the only way meaningful labor-reform can happen. I don't care if this unpopular to state or not, but most businesses, especially the large ones like Amazon, Walmart, and Google, don't care about their workers, and the situation is far, far, faaar worse in other parts of the world where people work now as people did at the time of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Their comfort, livelihoods, and security is meaningless to them if it doesn't somehow enrich them. People need to be aware on how millions of people live and get by today, and how they could potentially improve.

Let’s take a Moment to honor the Fallen. Join me so a Moment of silence. Thanks for participating in this moment of silence.

I just finished performing in an opera about this tragedy titled Morning Star by Ricky Ian Gordon. Thanks for making this!

There is power in a union

Oh my god, so many characters were harmed in this brutal extra history episode!

This was a really good episode. It touched the watcher with bringing the emotional horror that happened that day. It was real wake up call on how bad things were then, and now we can see the reforms that came after. Thank you for this 😊

Schlatt:😳

Oh boy that was like really depressing in the beginning.

I don't know if it was just me, but as a Brit that opening scene reminded me a lot of the Grenfell tower firre.

Im here because of lunch club

Honestly thank you this was amazing. Low key cried at the end there. Here's to the teachers continuing the struggle today.

I find this video fascinating, and dedicated it to our teachers in Oklahoma who want better school funding for our children, and a better pay!

There were reforms before Triangle. The first being the inspection of Boilers and the training of people both to inspect them and maintain them starting the late 1860s and early 1870s after an series of explosions. Although despite the explosions and resulting fires linseed oil was even into the 1920s a popular thing to keep the dust down in factories.

Your description of the tragedy was truly haunting. It is sad that things must often go horribly wrong before changes are made.

did anyone else come here from schlatt

I am by far the least interested in new laws and regulations, but all these lives were lost due to the great evil of greed and the inability to see people as people. Sadly when money becomes an end onto itself rather than a means to something then evil will happen.

*Life Will Change Plays in the Background*

I remember reading a book about this in high school; it was titled "Triangle." It's beyond the word "sad."

Funfact: Theodore Roosevelt unseated Boss Murphy in Tammany, who was a symbol in the underworld.

Another excellent video! I, for one, would be very interested in seeing more about Tammany Hall, particularly its rise and decline!

Outstanding video I love everything about it! The animation is spot on and the story telling is just as amazing! Great work once again and keep it up!

Great video per usual y'all, really appreciate your work and all that you do.

Excellent work on this video I love how the characters look like and the art too keep up the great work

Tragedies like these make me feel lucky for me to even be alive

Corporate nonsense leads to tragedies like this, and I wish that it was over now. Let’s work towards a new age of prosperity where we actually learn from our mistakes.

I went to NYU who owns that building now, and you can almost feel the loss on the ninth floor. It's eerie.

This is how tragedy should be dealt with. A perfect example of how civilized conduct is condusive to real change.

As a non American, I would like to learn more about the events of Hurricane Catrina and its effects on New Orleans. Could you please make an episode obout this in the future if its not too much work ?

How the Hell have I never heard of this before? Thanks for putting this up. We all need to know of these tragedies.

I remember having read one of the I survived books about the triangle factory. It was terrible to read a story about a young poor girl trying to jump down an elevator shaft holding onto its cables just to survive a preventable fire. The story stuck with me for a while and I'm glad to now know that something good came out of it

*i came here because of lunch club* edit: this is fucking sad thanks lunch club im traumatized...*crys*

Omg I just learned about this tragedy in my ELA class I learned so much more thank you for covering this

Al Smith deserves an extra history stand alone of his own. Title "The Happy Warrior."

Bleak and sad start of video. Uplifting and inspirational closing. Thank you

It infuriates me how so many rich people and politicians put money over human lives and human rights. This lack of empathy for the poor, the working class, the middle class and children in particular should always be considered psychotic.

Remember this story while fighting for net neutrality, people.

What's the moral of the story here? What can we draw from this disaster that killed 146 people? Dont throw a cigarette in a pile of cloth.

As a student of Interior Design, this event is taught to us over and over again when it comes to fire safety. While it was this event that leads to the founding of Building codes regarding fire safety and the National FIre Prevention Association (NFPA), the country saw another tragedy like this at least twice that made it official. The first was the Coconut Grove fire in 1942 (the second-worst tragedy in American History) and the other was the Station NightClub fire which was in 2003 (which taught everyone exactly WHY you need to maintain fire codes)

Thank you so much for creating this kind of videos 😀

So... don't smoke?

When you realize how Perkins got to FDR's cabinet

Outstanding video. I worked in Manhattan. I’d always heard about Triangle through the job but never in such great detail. So many interesting facts and the national ramifications. I never would have known so much good came out of the ruin of the tragedy of Triangle.

This piece of history always appears in every History class I've had from middle school to college, and yet I still learned so many new things from this video.