March 25th, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the deadliest workplace accident in New York City’s history (with the exception of 9/11) – a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in which 146 people were killed.  This tragedy will be the subject of an episode of the PBS series, American Experience, airing tomorrow – February 28th at 9 p.m. here – the date and time in your area may differ.  There’s a lot of additional information on the PBS website for American Experience, and the previous episodes are viewable online so hopefully the Triangle Fire episode will be as well.
UPDATE: The Triangle Fire episode of American Experience is now available to watch online on the PBS website.

Here’s an excerpt from the History Channel show Story of Us:

And an account from survivor, Rose Freedman:

HBO’s documentary Triangle: Remembering the Fire, premiers on March 21st (east) /22nd (west)

New York Times: 100 Years Later, the Roll of the Dead in a Factory Fire Is Complete

Kelowna Capital News: Smithson – Something old, something new in workplace safety

Art ● Memory ● Place – Commemorating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
January 11–March 26 and April 12–July 9, 2011

On March 25, 1911, countless New Yorkers witnessed the largest workplace disaster before 9/11, when the top three floors of the Asch Building, housing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, caught fire. Today this building is part of NYU’s Silver Center complex—which is also home to the Grey Art Gallery. Art/Memory/Place: Commemorating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire marks the 100-year anniversary of this traumatic event, which resulted in 146 deaths. Most of the victims were young female garment workers from Jewish and Italian immigrant families. The exhibition explores a century of efforts to remember their lives and to expiate the tragedy through social, political, and economic reforms. Art/Memory/Place is the product of an innovative partnership between the Grey and NYU’s graduate programs in Museum Studies and Public History. It is curated by NYU students in collaboration with Dr. Lucy Oakley, Head of Education and Programs at the Grey, and Dr. Marci Reaven, urban historian and managing director of City Lore.

Click here for a list of additional events.

UPDATE: Here’s an article that appeared in the NY Times after I wrote this post.

In A Tragedy, A Mission To Remember

Thanks to everyone who sent me information about these commemorations.

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.