-
Foundation of Triangle Waist Company
Blanck and Isaac Harris found the Triangle Waist Company on Wooster Street in New York City. -
Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)
Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) is founded in New York City. ILGWU was an industrial union in the United States that represented workers in the women’s clothing industry. They had many successful strikes during this time period. -
Period: to
Asch Building Plans and Construction
Plans for the Asch building at Greene Street and Washington Place in New York City are approved and construction is completed. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Company opens in Asch Building
Triangle Shirtwaist Company opens a factory on the 8th floor of the Asch building. -
Company Expansion
The Triangle Shirtwaist Company expands to include the ninth and tenth floors of the Asch building. -
Fire Prevention Meeting
A fire prevention expert writes to the Triangle Shirtwaist Company asking for a meeting about improving safety measures. The meeting does not take place. -
ILGWU Strike
Awful working conditions, twelve hour shifts with only a half-hour lunch break and no overtime pay, dangerous machinery, and poor ventilation in the workplace, The ILGWU Local 25 calls for a strike against the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. -
Fire Inspection
At the Asch Building the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory passes a routine fire inspection. -
Factory Fire
A factory fire in Newark takes place, killing 25 people (6 burned and 19 jumped) and causing concerns for improved fire safety. -
Fire Safety Report
A fire safety report is released saying that many buildings in New York City lack the most “indispensable precautions necessary.” -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Shortly before quitting time of 4:45, a fire breaks out on the eighth floor of the Asch building, which is part of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory. The fire will claim 146 victims. -
Vote Against New York State Legislature
The National Women’s Trade Union League organizes a meeting where thousands of women voted to press the New York state legislature for new labor and fire safety law. -
Owners Charged with Manslaughter
The owners of the Triangle Factory Isaac Harris and Max Blanck are indicted with 6 counts of manslaughter for 2 out of the 146 workers that were killed in the fire. -
Investigation
The New York state legislature establishes what is called the Factory Investigating Commission to investigate statewide working conditions. -
Trial Begins
The Blanck and Harris trial begins -
Not Guilty
Blanck and Harris are found not guilty. -
Blanck and Harris Found Guilty
Two years later, Blank and Harris are found guilty of locking emergency fire exit doors against their workers in the factory so they would not sneak out of work. -
National Landmark
The site of where the fire took place is named a national landmark
