The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire:
Who or what was responsible for the fire and the consequent loss of life?

The resources used for this project are from the University of Missouri-Kansa City School of Law's famous trial project
and from the Cornell University IRL School's Triangle Factory Fire site.

1. Laws and Inspections: What were New York City's workplace laws and was the shirtwaist factory compliant?

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Trial: Building and Safety Laws

2. New York Times Newspaper Accounts

a. March 26, 1911 (page 1)
b. March 26, 1911 (page 4)
c. March 28, 1911 (page 1)
d. December 5, 1911
e. December 12, 1911
f. December 21, 1911
g. December 27, 1911
h. December 28, 1911 (page 1)

3. The Fire Report

Preliminary Report of the New York Factory Investigating Commission, 1912

4. Key Testimony before the Fire Investigating Commission Concerning the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

a. Testimony of Fire Chief Edward F. Croker
b. G. I. Harmon, Labor Department Inspector
c. Testimony of Fire Marshall William L. Beers

5. Excerpts from Trial Testimony in the Triangle Shirtwasit Fire Trial

Read the testimony of these people (you may have to scroll down to the individual testimony):

a. Testimony of Charles M. Laugh (fireman)
b. Testimony of William Bernstein (8th floor worker)
c. Testimony of Ethel Monick (9th floor worker--age 16)
d. Testimony of Katie Weiner (9th floor cutter, age 17)
e. Testimony of Miss Kate Alterman (9th floor worker)
f. Fannie Selmanowitz (examiner, 9th floor)
g. Lena Yaller (operator, 9th floor, age 19)
h. George F. Dunn (Engine Company 33)
i. Thomas Meechem (Engine Company 33)
j. John D. Moore (a consultant engineer employed by the District Attorney)
k. Francis Flynn (Detective Bureau)

l. John D. Moore (engineer)
m. Josie Nicolosi (8th floor worker) (concerning 9th-floor dances)
n. Irene Seivos (8th floor worker)
o. Minnie Wagner (8th floor worker)
p. Kate Gartman (9th floor operator)
q. John Williams (Commissioner of the Department of Labor)
r. Opening Statement for the Defense by Max Steuer
s. Mae Caliandrolevantinit (defense witness and 9th floor operator)
t. Ida Mittleman (witness for the defense)
u. Samuel Bernstein (superintendent and witness for the defense)

6. Sweatshops before 1911

a. Sweatshops and Strikes before 1911: Photographs and Illustrations
b. Sweatshops and Strikes before 1911: Documents (Testimonials only)

7. Excerpts from the Preliminary Report of the Factory Investigating Commission, 1912; New York (State) Factory Investigating Commission

a. The Fire Hazard in Factory Buildings
b. Recommendations of the Commission		 c. Ninth Floor Plan of the Asch Building
d. Results of the Data Obtained by the Investigation
 

8. Testimonials

The Triangle Factory Fire: Documents (Scroll down until you come to the first section on "Fire: Testimonials" and click the links to examine the information from the seven testimonials.)

9. Newspaper Accounts and Magazine Articles on the Fire

a. New York Times, March 26, 1911
b. Chicago Sunday Tribune, March 26, 1911
c. New York Times, March 26, 1911
d. New York Times, March 26, 1911
e. New York Times, March 26, 1911
f. New York Times, March 26, 1911
g. Chicago Sunday Tribune, March 28, 1911
h. Ladies' Garment Worker, April 1911

10. Oral Histories

Audio: Oral Histories ( Listen to the conversation with Dora Maizler.)

 

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire activity created by Bruce Lesh, Social Studies Department, Franklin High School, 2005
Last updated: October 12, 2006