Paying Tribute to the Triangle Shirtwaist Martyrs

Mar 25, 2011

Today marked the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - a traumatic event in which 146 workers, mostly young women, died. Many of them jumped to their death, unable to flee the 11th floor sweatshop where the door had been locked to prevent organizers from entering. These were the days before American workers enjoyed the protection of unions; the days of dangerous working conditions, child labor, intolerably long hours and six-day work weeks for miserable pay.

The workers died because of the sickening greed of their bosses and the malfeasance of local officials who looked the other way. The bosses never paid for the murder of these workers but in the months and years that followed, American unionism took off and laws protecting workers and improving their conditions were established.

Today, on a bitingly cold March day, thousands jammed into Washington Street to listen to stirring speeches. The passion and emotion of the crowd was palpable. The expressions on people's faces showed they understood that all that which was gained with the death of those martyrs one hundred years ago is now under attack as Corporate America and their Republican shills try to turn our country back to the time when they could treat workers not as human beings, but as just another piece of machinery tobe ruthlessly exploited to maximize profit without any regard for their safety or, indeed, their very lives. The Triangle Shirtwaist workers will never be forgotten and they live in our hearts and minds today, one hundred years later. - Matt
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  • Blue bunting marks the windows on the eleventh floor from which the Triangle women jumped to their deaths in 1911.

    Blue bunting marks the windows on the eleventh floor from which the Triangle women jumped to their deaths in 1911.

  • Never forget. Carrying the memory of Maria Manaria, one of the women workers sacrificed to the greed of her wealthy bosses.

    Never forget. Carrying the memory of Maria Manaria, one of the women workers sacrificed to the greed of her wealthy bosses.

  • Rousing speeches and an impassioned crowd in honor of the Triangle Fire martyrs.

    Rousing speeches and an impassioned crowd in honor of the Triangle Fire martyrs.

  • The faces of New York City workers, paying tribute to those who gave their lives so that later generations could form unions and enjoy decent and dignified lives.

    The faces of New York City workers, paying tribute to those who gave their lives so that later generations could form unions and enjoy decent and dignified lives.

  • In memoriam, Louis Rosen.

    In memoriam, Louis Rosen.

  • A shirt in the breeze to preserve the memory of Yetta Rosenbaum, one of the women who died in the horrific Triangle fire of 1911.

    A shirt in the breeze to preserve the memory of Yetta Rosenbaum, one of the women who died in the horrific Triangle fire of 1911.

  • Passing on the memory from generation to generation. Never forget!

    Passing on the memory from generation to generation. Never forget!

  • Remebering those who died.

    Remebering those who died.

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