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Plans for Asch Building are approved
Plans for a new building for Joseph Asch at Greene Street and Washington Place in New York City are approved. -
Construction of Asch Building is completed
On January 15, 1901, construction of the Asch Building is completed. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory open for business
In 1906 (exact date unknown), the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory opened for business. -
Fire prevention expert writes to Triangle Shirtwaist management
A fire prevention expert writes to Triangle Shirtwaist Factory management concerning a meeting to discuss improving safety measures, but the letter is ignored. -
Local 25 of ILGWU declares a strike against the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
In September 1909, Local 25 of ILGWU declared a strike against the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. This strike later spread to other manufacturers. It ended after thirteen weeks in which over 700 striking workers were arrested. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory passes a routine fire inspection
On October 15, 1910, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory passes a routine fire inspection. -
Factory fire in Newark, New Jersey kills 25 workers
On November 25, a factory in Newark, New Jersey burns, killing 25 workers. This fire helped to raise awareness of the poor working conditions and lack of fire safety precaution in factories, but did not spawn any legislation. -
Last time accumulation of cutaways is picked up from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
On January 15, 1911, a manufacturer picks up cutaways (garment scraps) from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. This is the last time this happens before the fire - and the heavy accumulation of cutaways helps fuel the fire two months later. -
A report on fire traps is published
On March 16, 1911, a report on fire traps is published. The report claimed that many New York City buildings lacked "even the most indispensable precautions necessary." -
4:40pm, Fire breaks out on the eighth floor of the Asch Building
On March 25, 1911, a fire breaks out on the eighth floor of the Asch Building, one of the floors of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The fire spread quickly and would cause 146 deaths. -
4:46pm, NYFD arrives at the Asch Building
On March 25, 1911, NYFD Company 72 arrives at the Asch Building - 6 minutes after the fire broke out. At this point, the fire is spreading to the ninth and tenth floors. Workers on the eighth floor head to the ground while those on the tenth floor flee to the roof. Workers on the ninth floor are unaware of the fire. -
4:57pm, Last body falls to the ground
At 4:57pm on March 25, 1911, the last of the many bodies falls to the sidewalk. -
5:05pm, Fire is effectively brought under control
On March 25, 1911, at 5:05pm, the Asch Building fire is brought under control. -
Over 100,000 people stream through temporary 26th Street Pier morgue
On March 26, 1911, over 100,000 grieving friends, relatives, and other members of the public identify loved ones from the fire in the temporary morgue on the Twenthy-Sixth Street Pier. -
Meeting held to discuss concerns over lack of safe working conditions
On April 2, 1911, a meeting is held in New York City to discuss concerns over lack of safe working conditions. The resolutions passed demanded for new legislation. -
Mass funeral is held for seven bodies unidentified
On April 5, 1911, a mass funeral is held for seven bodies unidentified. These bodies were later identified in 2011. -
Blanck and Harris indicted for manslaughter
On April 11, 1911, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris were indicted for manslaughter on account of several charges that suggested that they locked the doors to the factory. -
Factory Investigating Commission in New York created
New York City creates a Factory Investigating Commission to examine the need for new legislation to prevent fire disasters. The Commission would then inspect 1,836 establishments and interview over 200 witnesses before issuing its report. The report contributes to the launch of the "golden era in remedial factory legislation." Over the next three years, 36 new safety laws are passed. -
Jury selection begins for Harris and Blanck manslaughter trial
On December 4, 1911, jury selection begins for Harris and Blanck manslaughter trial. -
Angry crowd of supporters shout "Murderers! Muderers!" at Harris and Blanck
On December 5, 1911, an angry crowd of supporters shouted "Murderers! Murderers!" as Harris and Blanck exited the courtroom. -
Jury retires to deliberate; renders a verdict of "Not Guilty"
On December 27, 1911, the jury of the Harris and Blanck trial retired to deliberate. They returned two hours later and rendered a verdict of "Not Guilty". -
District Attorney moves for a second trial of Harris and Blanck
On March 21, 1912, the District Attorney moved for a second trial of Harris and Blanck, involving different victims than those in the first trial. The case is dismissed later, however, on Double Jeopardy grounds. -
23 individual suits are settled against Triangle Shirtwaist Company
On March 11, 1914, twenty-three individual suits were settled against the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. It had to pay, on average, only $75.00 per life lost.
