My great-great grandmother (who I'm named after, interestingly enough!) actually worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. She had actually been fired before the disaster because her bosses caught her trying to start a union.
@@lauraswann5543 Oh absolutely! And it's also a fun pattern that the women in my family (me included) are all very passionate about social/political causes
My grandmother grew up in the Lower East Side and was 18 when this tragedy happened. I remember her talking about it when I was a child. Her voice revealed the horror of it, as she told how the whole neighborhood was devastated by it. A suggestion for another story: my grandmother was punished by her mother for disobedience by not being allowed to go on the annual church picnic and boat trip. Because of this, she escaped probable death in the burning and sinking of the excursion boat General Slocum in 1904.
I was just thinking, why did these two escape their punishment and weren't held responsible while the captain of that ship was convicted and scapegoated for something he couldn't prevent
Yeah, it is very sad. The families of the dead workers should at least have gotten justice. Sending Blanck and Harris to prison wouldn't have brought all the dead people back, but it would have been the right thing to do and might have eased the pain of grief at least a little bit.
@@peecee1384 If people act selfish and greedy to a point where they need to be regulated and live in fear of legal punishment to prevent them from either directly or indirectly causing other peoples deaths to increase their own financial gains, does that mean they are blameless and innocent?
Same here. Working in the plants, alot of people are careless when going in and out of confined spaces, they don't check the gas monitors etc. Though nitrogen deaths are one of the most common out here, they're playing with their lives for something so easily preventable.
I had to study this in college as part of a labor history course. Reading the first person accounts from survivors, public responses, and parts of the trial transcript was horrifying and upsetting. This tragedy is literally part of why we have building safety features in the United States. These women deserved better
We worked for less wages until early 70's and New Zealand had a similar fire in the millinery dept of the most well known dept store in ChCh. 49 lives lost. Delia Morris
This story repeated itself in the small town of Hamlet, N.C. at a a chicken processing facility. The management had locked most exit doors because employee theft was rampant. Theft had become so rampant that employees were selling cases of chicken nuggets from the factory parking lot. Unfortunately a fire broke out and many died from smoke inhalation and being trampled/crushed by the workers trying to get out. The company filed for bankruptcy and completely dissolved.
My Memere (grandmother) had spoken about this. She a d her older sisters worked in a handkerchief factory, and the owner made sure that the exits were always clear and left open. In time, many more safety features were added, until it closed.
What a heartbreaking story. I am grateful Paul relates these harrowing tales with great empathy.. The horror of stairwell doors being locked, an all but useless fire escape, ladders not reaching higher floors.. Thanks to the great visuals I could picture the whole scenario, leading to _"a heartbreaking fight to die on the sidewalk below instead of inside the inferno.."_ 😢 The fact Blanck and Harris got off scot-free is wrong, but to actually profit from the tragedy is abhorrent.. Thank you for the excellent presentation of this sad case.. 👍👏
They did save many lives when they were inside of the fire themselves. Blanck even risked his life to put out the fire in the early stages. Its probably why those trying to help inside the fire like the elevator operator who risked his life to go into the inferno to rescue people. And would have gone into it again if the bodies of people falling into the shaft didn't stop him. THis one isn't as cut and dry as most people think. And I am rather disappointed he went with the usual lines on this one. Its a much more in depth story than "evil businessmen"
@@als3022Those notes don't matter so much, do they? The reason people died was because of "evil businessmen" who decided fire safety was too expensive. Who purchased a cheap fire escape. Who locked the stairwell doors. I don't think someone should get many pats on the back for attempting to rescue people from the death trap they, themselves, created. It's like those stories you hear of a firefighter lighting a fire on purpose, so he can show up as the hero and rescue people. No matter how many lives he attempts to save or how many injuries he sustained, he's STILL THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE BLAZE. Culpability doesn't vanish because you tried to do good, far too late in the game. Also, why would they profit so heavily from the deaths of those employees and not give that money back to the families affected? They obsolved themselves of guilt and ran off with the money.
Shades of Grenfell Tower here too, not getting more people out of a burning building and not having a ladder tall enough on the scene ASAP. Hard to believe the stupidity & illegality from one century & one country to the next.
I highly recommend "Triangle, the fire that changed America" by David Von Drehle. It's a wonderful book about a horrific subject that shouldn't be forgotten.
It really is a very good book. ANd goes much more into depth. It doesn't erase those trying to save people like this one did. Blonck one of the owners and the elevator operator risked their lives several times to save lives. I am disappointed this channel left that out.
@@als3022 One does not need to praise Mr Blanck for "saving lives". It was he, and his partner, who put all those women in danger and having caused the deaths of so many of them.
@@als3022 The owners were the ones who caused this to begin with, and they went on to do literally exactly the same thing again in other factories. He doesn't need or deserve praise for doing less than the bare minimum in a disaster that he caused himself. Are you related to him or why are you sat here simping for someone who repeatedly knowingly put his workers at risk to make a profit?
Oh Paul! This story about this horrible tragedy has left me saddened to the core. The love of money is the root of all evil!! This is proof! Thank you for sharing this with us. Blessings always! ❤️✝️
I remember learning about this is A-Level History. We were doing a course on women’s rights and unions. So tragic and avoidable, and an even more despicable response from the owners
On July 22, 1913, there was a similar incident in Binghamton, New York at the Binghamton Clothing Factory. It employed about 100 people, mostly women and two men. The fire started in the basement and quickly shot up the stairs to the third and fourth floors, trapping the employees there. The entire building collapsed in 15 minutes. Due to the fire spreading so fast, the fire company was not able to offer much assistance. Of the 100 employees, 68 managed to escape, many with burns and injuries. 31 perished. Of the 31, 19 were unidentified. This put even more pressure on New York officials to strength the safety codes. Both were very tragic.
Never heard of this but thank you for another lesson in NY State history. Let us be grateful that there are some regulations and building codes. Likely there are hundreds or thousands of sweatshops in othrr countries such as China.
@@ivanpetrov5185 Haha,thanks for the compliment although I’m not really one. I actually looked up the disaster and found out that there were slightly different accounts of the number of workers present and death toll.While the total deaths were 31,one account has stated that all were women but a few others mentioned that a heroic foreman saved two workers was also among the dead.Besides that,there might have been more than a hundred workers working that day.
@@machector892 That explains everything. Still, this clip does not give this info. So, as a sane human being you calculate 31+68=100? What?!? I am glad somebody still uses their brain nowadays.
History proves that nothing has changed. The rich factory owners exploit vulnerable People. Paying them as little as possible. Working in inhumane conditions. While the rich live in their golden towers. RIP genuine and honest people xx
I remember reading about this tragedy in the 80's when I was in junior high in a book on disasters (I was a weird kid and now an even weirder adult). It struck a chord in me enough to talk about it for a speech tournament when I was given the category "Catastrophes".
i love listening to your comforting voice in these horrible tragedy's, but this one was particularly harrowing. those poor women. the owners should have been punished much more severely.
That would have been very unlikely, and not because of they were rich reason either. (They were moderate businessmen and not anywhere near the Vanderbilt class) The reason is because they were inside of the building when it went up. Both of owners were also Jewish immigrants. He just mentions that they were chased to the roof. He leaves out that both men risked their lives to put out the fire before it grew and failed. And they didn't run by themselves, they made sure to try to save as many of their workers by taking them with them to the roof. That's not as easy to prosecute.
Made me think of those poor souls nearly 100 years later that week in the same predicament on 911 what a horrendous position they all had to face burn or jump 😢 very well told x
this was preventable though and caused by rich men. although 9/11 was a retaliation from foreign countries to the oppression from the united statess. it hink theres a difference idk
I have been dreading the day I would hear this sad tale, but I'm ready. I appreciate how gently you speak as you narrate to us. Your channel reminds me of the shows I'd watch on PBS, growing up in the '90s. I'm happy to be here. Thank you.
Honestly wanted to cry during this video. I can't imagine how desperate they were to get out the building. Rest in peace to those souls who died. Again such a well empathetic told story.
. I'd say nobody is mourning them over 100 years later. Do you know what your great-grandparents names are? Don't worry most of us don't. And going back in 110 115 years there'll be a few greats on the grandparents scale. Now people today will use anything to push their own agenda. That is what we see happening with the pictures of these women from 100 years ago. Sad fact but it's true. We are just one generation away from being forgotten..
You have a point there although I feel at some point,their descendants are going to look up their family tree and find out the truth.While they may not mourn to the same extent as the past generations,I can imagine that at least there will still be a sense of loss or pity for someone to lose their lives so tragically. And yes,it’s very unfortunate and quite disgusting that some people will use the victims for their own selfish reasons.It’s already bad enough that they suffered such a fate in life only to be ‘misused’ in death.
@@machector892 Yes, they are indeed mourned by their families; families who never knew them and wish they did. Their descendants mourn them, just as I mourn family from the 18th century whom I would dearly loved to have known. What you wrote is true, despite the naysayers :)
Much as I understand the sentiment, if we had ceremonies everytime there was a disaster, no one would get any work done. It's over a hundred years ago. Time to move on.
@@elainekent7026what a strange statement. There's no time limit on these things. A hundred years ago is nothing considering how old mankind has been living on this planet. It's like a second in time. It doesn't matter if it was fifty, a hundred, thousand, or thousands of years ago. A tragedy occurred and lives were lost under horrible circumstances. And their lives were not lost in vain. Safety in the workplace laws and changes were made because of the tragic loss of those brave women. If people want to take an hour or two out of their day to honor those who lost their lives then so what? They could be doing it on their lunch break or after work hours. Work is still getting done. It's out of respect and to show that the people are not forgotten. Many lives were lost in WWI That's over a hundred years ago. Every year there are rememberance services and ceremonies to honor service people who have lost their lives during the various wars over the years. There's been many tragedies and disasters over the centuries. Are we to forget about the people and forget history. Of course not. There's nothing wrong with honoring those who lost their lives. It doesn't matter how long ago an event happened. There's nothing wrong with having some compassion, having some empathy, being humble, and taking time to consider the fragility of our own lives.
A truly tragic story that you tell in such a way as to make it seem you are speaking on behalf of the women and giving them a voice over 100 years later. Thanks for posting.
Sad that these women had left old world countries ruled by monarchs who despised the common worker, only to land in a new world ruled by capitalists who equally despised the common worker. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Boy did you hit the nail on the head. There is always a BOSS. People that are elevated to boss status get there by stepping on many people. They are soulless creatures that go about they're jobs without empathy or human compassion. Today we call them CEO.
I was fortunate to have a decent history teacher who went over this tragedy and touched on others to instruct us in the need for workers reform and building safety. I have never forgotten her lessons, to hear you narrate the Triangle disaster brought it well to life. Thanks Paul for your excellent delivery and wonderful fact team.
Did the fire prevention expert not testify at the trial? That Blanck & Harris had ignored advice & letters documenting necessary change, while increasing their insurance: says it all for me!
Let's not forget the Dhaka Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh 24th of November 2012 with the loss of over 117 lives & over 200 injured. Interesting fact about the Shirtwaist Fire was that survivor Rose Freedman who was 17 at the time died in 2001 aged 107.
I read about that one. There was another one in India regarding a pesticide plant in Bhopal. The owners/managers stopped maintaining a lot of safety features, some they considered redundant. Over 500,000 people in towns surrounding the plant were exposed to a highly toxic gas. There was over 2000 immediate deaths, 8000 over two weeks, and at least another 8000 since then. 3900 permanently disabled. The government paid compensation to 3700 families and to over 500,000 injured.
Things like this still happen in clothing factories overseas to this day. Building collapses, etc. They work very long hours and get paid almost nothing. This is what you are doing when you buy inexpensive clothes from China, Thailand, etc. It’s very sad. I watched a documentary on how mica (the stuff that makes make up sparkly) is collected. Horrible!
I studied this story many years ago in A People’s History of the United by Howard Zinn. This rendition is delivered with such a sweet, melancholy voice that brings a sense of respect for each of the victims of that tragic, horrendous event. Well done, sir. I'm going to be looking for other narrations from you.
PBS had an excellent documentary are this tragedy. One detail that you omitted, was the heartbreaking fact that when some of the women jumped they were impaled on a nearby spiked fence. Making this even more dreadful than what it already was. That stuck with me from the PBS documentary. I couldn't even imagine being a spectator to that kind of horror.
This story is so horrifying it seemed almost distasteful to give it a 'thumbs up 👍'. I thank the owner of the chanel for informing us of this forgotten tragedy. 🙏
So horrible that because of someone's ego so many people had to die. What is so hard to understand about people needing to be safe at work? They were too cheap to care..
Have walked by this building many times and it makes you sad thinking of all of those women dying. At least they have a plaque outside to tell the story.
I was friends with the daughter of a woman who watched this from across the street, at a different shirt factory. She was new to the country, and had applied for a job at Triangle the day prior, but they rejected her because she didn’t speak English. Lucky her
This incident is still to this day the shame of New York. Not until 9/11 did as many die in one building in this state. Every New Yorker downstate and upstate knows about it long before they go to high school.
That had to be so horrifying for the brave firefighters, who no doubt did everything they possibly could, with equipment simply not up to the task. Even today, tackling a fire of that scale and intensity would be a mammoth task to undertake. It would not surprise me at all if a large number of those first responders left the career after that.
@@lauraswann5543 I'm fortunate enough to live in a city that has specifically invested in ladders taller than that, due to the number of tall buildings we have here. We're one of very few cities in the UK to have ladders that will reach the tenth floor - I know with certainty that London has ladders that reach the 20th floor.
Elevator operator sending his car all the way tot he floor to pick up people and bring them to safety. ANd when he tried to go again his car being disabled by the bodies falling into the elevator shaft.
Make no mistake, whenever you hear the word "deregulation" this is what it looks like, businesses getting to decide on their own how miserable the job can be, and how much safety equipment is "enough" to purchase and maintain. Left to their own devices, they INVARIABLY push workers harder and longer and skimp on anything that decreases profits by even the slightest bit.
Thank you for this video Paul. I might look up the movie others are talking about later. This tragedy, a long with other similar ones, might be one of the reasons why many American companies advertise their clothes as Union Made. Seeing that the company only lasted until 1918, this event definitely affected the consciences of many consumers at the time. Sadly, we collectively are still often unaware of the working conditions of those who make many of our garments. Many think if it is foreign-made, and inexpensive, then out of sight out of mind.
I remember hearing this story last year in online school! My teacher said it was one of the worst disasters in New York until 9/11 happened, or something similar to what she said
I remember requesting for you to tell this story a month ago...thank you for taking my request seriously. It was interesting to hear your take on this tragic story.
When Sheppard describes the bodies hitting the pavement and being able to be heard all over the city; I was thinking about the crashing sounds of bodies hitting the pavement when the firemen were trying to organize going up the floors of the Twin Towers. If you find the French brothers video of that day, you can hear it!
It's heartbreaking to see this kind of practice still used by large corporations like Amazon but because they have such a monopoly on online shopping, it's almost impossible to not to support them consciously or unconsciously
Ah yes, because the working conditions are EXACTLY the same. You've clearly never worked for them then. Neither have I personally, but I do happen to know that their working conditions and benefits are actually quite reasonable. At least round here, anyway. They're definitely better than a ramshackle death trap factory in the early 20th century, that's for sure. So no, they're not the same at all, so don't play the 'its heartbreaking to think.....' card. Makes you look like a proper Karen.
Countess: Yes, I've only just been watching the WanderingTurnip video about Amazon - those VERY large sheds don't even have windows AND I did not see any exit doors in the building - what are they thinking? Or are they not ❓☹☹
@@beebopvroop5218 People literally dying on the factory floor and drivers having to piss in bottles because they're not allowed pee breaks, aw yeah murrica has gotten so far 🤣
I was reminded of this horrific tragedy when watching the footage from 9/11 & Grenfell. I imagine the situations being somewhat similar. All three events had evil doers at their core, IMO.
A horrible and sad tragedy. Another testament to how greed kills. How's the story of the Calhoun County, Alabama trio (Hilley, Doss and Hyatt) coming along? My sister, mother, best friend and I are dying to see it!
My heart, condolences, and prayers to those women who lost their lives to corporate greed and the fire that ended them. My prayers for the families who loved them so dearly. It's so terrible that they went through this. I worked at Amazon during the first part of Covid, and I HATED the working conditions. I immediately along with my sister when it was getting worse at work and health wise.
We were shown this story in grade school. The thing that amazed all:of us kids were the locked doors. It was so obvious even to kids that you don’t do that. Such a horrific tragedy
“Threads and Flames” by Esther Friesner Puts a very human face on the tragedy. Makes it more real, more horrifying. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a book that made me cry more than this one
I was totally transfixed when I first watched this film years ago. It was utterly heartbreaking, I never forgot it, have since looked up the true story on Google, and I’m still fascinated by it 👍🏼
You can find the movie The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal here on YT. It aired as a TV movie in 1979, and it was a good one. Although much was dramatized (like the individual characters), it was based on the events and the people who were there. I remember it particularly as I was taking a course in Labor Legislation at the time.
@@zzydny thanks, I know, I watched it first on TV in 1979 and later on RUclips. It obviously was dramatised for effect, but when I delved into it more over the years I could just imagine the characters from the film could have existed.
We actually covered this in my modern history course under the workers rights movement section. The thing that horrified me that Paul didnt mention was girls jumping into the elevator shaft to escape the fire. This truly was one of the sparks that really ignited the workers rights movement even further (pun kinda intended).
I absolutely love your channel. You have combined my love of historical events and murder mysteries. I would love it if you could do a piece on John Dillinger. I live in Indiana and his life and story never ceases to amaze me
I found this true story as a made-for-tv movie on RUclips from I believe 1975. If I recall it's simply called, "The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire", and I think it's starred Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele), and Tom Bosley(he played Mr. Cunningham, Richie's father on Happy Days), and others I can't remember. It was really well done, and I've never forgotten it. I'll have to check and see if it's still up loaded here.
What a total carnage of these dear workers. As usual, the culprits seemingly get off very well, and so many have lost their lives in horrendous circumstances. Very well reported on this one Paul, really brought it home to all us viewers I am sure. RIP dear Folks.
This story makes me so angry. Injustice is infuriating. Companies are putting money over lives again, in healthcare where I work, short staffing nurses means an increase of 10% patient deaths from all causes. We have been sounding the alarm but corporate leaders say we are just greedy and lazy, as they collect their bonuses for 'making budget'.😢
I've been advocating for #MedicareForAll Not because it would be perfect, but because the current system is obviously failing so many. The problems standing in the way of change are 1. disinformation, flat out telling people it wouldn't work, and "how would we pay for it" 2. The gradual undermining of our public education system and raising of higher education costs combined with predatory lending 3. Limited knowledge of the loss of life outside of the medical community, along with limited knowledge of the facts that these deaths are easily preventable. Lower cost insulin, inhalers, and the enactment of ACA help. But there is nothing such as the bodies of workers falling from a building to shock Americans into action, as in this tragedy. Even with COVID, the fact that we were all separated from others made, for some people outside of the medical community, this situation seem less real.
I'm familiar with this tragedy, but I haven't seen the harrowing photos before. As usual Paul, you have judged the tone perfectly. Sometimes, a little subtle humour where possible and, as in this case, a perfect sense of gravitas where levity would be unthinkable. Thank you Paul.
There are photos of the deceased jumpers laying on the ground being tagged. In some cases it's hard to make anything out owing to technology and age, but a few you can see the faces on those poor people.
Paul, thank you I appreciate the history you report. Sadly the lack of accountability is still a big part of the world we live in along with greed! Life isn't worth much, when it comes to money.😢
Another fascinating story and video as always. RIP to all who were lost. So sad that the owners were not held accountable for this useless tragedy. Great job Sir Paul. Keep them coming.👍👍
I don't know if you take requests, but have you heard of the SS Phoenix disaster (1845)? This one I personally know of, because most of the passengers on this ship were Dutch immigrants that originally came from the region where I live. It used to be a very destitute area of the Netherlands. They were looking for a better life in Wisconsin. Instead, with only a few miles of their long journey left, they met with death.
Same, I’m now 62 and watched when I was a teenager. I never forgot how utterly heartbreaking it was, and so years later I looked up the real story on Google. I’m still transfixed by it 👍🏼
Me, too! I saw it at my grandmother’s place and never forgot it. I became a bit obsessed with the event and years later when I, by sheer coincidence, ended up taking a few classes in the Asch building (NYU owns the building now), I read everything I could get my hands on about it. I highly recommend the book “Triangle: the fire that changed America” by David von Drehle, which perfectly describes the fire, the events that led up to it, and the reforms that followed it.
@@1961-v9k isn’t it interesting? How we can have that much affect on us I was fascinated by to and read every book I could find one thing I remember that to that was one of the actresses was really good Stephanie Zimbalist she was in so much TV in the 70s and 80s but I finally watched it again a few years ago and it still is difficult to watch
@@Mykelaugustinereed1963 yes, it’s very interesting, and the fact that most of my friends and acquaintances when asked never seem to have heard of it. Yes, Stephanie Zimbalist was great in the film. I also watched it again a few years ago and found it so hard to watch. I know the real images of the dead can be viewed online, but I think that would finish me 😪
Growing up in New York, I am familiar with this tragedy. The men responsible were given a slap on the wrist. Unfortunately, worker safety too often comes at the price of worker’s lives. 😢
I just want to say that four times in the last week I heard someone say, "Well, I never..." One was a tv show (Father Brown, I think), and the others were right here, right now, random people in the small city where I live. Before your channel, I hadn't heard it for years...
Great video, I was on the safety committee 10 years at my workplace, and even now, the same things happen . It was, at times, a struggle to get people to follow the safety laws.
I haven't seen any mention of the history of the Toy & Bickford Fuse Factory fire in Hartford County, Connecticut. Two of my 3x great aunts died in that fire. One went it a widow and was crawling across a plank to the next building when she died.
I'm majoring in interior design, and we're covering laws, codes, and regulations. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was used as an example of why we had to develop fire codes.
This is why it's important to fight against pushes to deregulate. Regulations are written in the blood of so many people that died in horrific ways that were absolutely preventable.
Depends on the regulations. We unfortunately are dealing with some serious crooks in present day that want regulations in place to line their pockets. It goes both ways.
@@TheIndependentLens Line their pocket? What the fuck are you talking about? US Guys Processing only got fined $1143 after a 17 year old boy lost his hand. And a lot of places are trying to put more children into hazardous work places. Deregulation is not in favor of the worker, and anyone that thinks it is is ignorant or lying.
I am in tears at this. Rest in Peace to all the people who died in that horrific tragedy💔 The owners Blanck and Harris should have been made accountable. They certainly should not have profited from it.
I have a book that was given to me as a child, called So Far From Home and its the (fictional) diary of an Irish girl sent to America during the Great Hunger. The journey from Cork to Massachusetts was harrowing enough, but unfortunately that was only the beginning of her story. At 14 years old, this child had to go to work in a clothing factory just like The Triangle factory. Locked doors, no bathroom breaks, long work days, and all of the workers were very young children and women. They took zero safety precautions which led to the looms snapping off fingers and scalping long-haired girls. Wages were practically nothing. Life outside of the factory didnt sound much better. But the most gut-wrenching thought I had while reading this book is that the girl was just grateful that she wasn't starving to death in Ireland.
I think I'd rather starve with my family in Ireland rather than risk my life for long hours in a dangerous factory every day, thousands of miles from home. 😢
I just discovered you. Very very well done!! My dad was born in Newark NJ and I had never heard of that particular fire in Newark. I had read "Ashes Of Roses" which is a story about this fire. It brought me to tears!! My dad actually went to Columbia Chiropractic College so it was interesting to note the college too tried to warn these morons of the dangers they were putting on their employees. I didn't know they had profited from the deaths and that alone is horrific!! I guess they now are burning just like their poor victims but they are going to burn forever and ever unlike their victims! They can escape human justice but they cannot escape the wrath of God! Love how you presented this and how thorough you were with the facts. Great job!
The horrors of the employees locked in the places of business. The “Fire Insurance” business in Philadelphia in the early US, had the strange practice that if you bought the insurance your fire would be put out, if not they wouldn’t. High rises have always been fire hazards. There is a county elder hospital near me that is 3 stories taller than any fire ladders.
My great-great grandmother (who I'm named after, interestingly enough!) actually worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. She had actually been fired before the disaster because her bosses caught her trying to start a union.
Thank God she tried to start that union, her concern for workers saved her life.💖
@@lauraswann5543 Oh absolutely! And it's also a fun pattern that the women in my family (me included) are all very passionate about social/political causes
Well done, women in your family!
Go all the way...for the presidency
By the way, I’m proud of your gg, brave woman.
My grandmother grew up in the Lower East Side and was 18 when this tragedy happened. I remember her talking about it when I was a child. Her voice revealed the horror of it, as she told how the whole neighborhood was devastated by it. A suggestion for another story: my grandmother was punished by her mother for disobedience by not being allowed to go on the annual church picnic and boat trip. Because of this, she escaped probable death in the burning and sinking of the excursion boat General Slocum in 1904.
I would like to know more about this disaster by the best narrator WIN
Your grandma was a very lucky girl❤
I was just thinking, why did these two escape their punishment and weren't held responsible while the captain of that ship was convicted and scapegoated for something he couldn't prevent
Money and the right connections.@@crazyibel
@@nokomarie1963 that's true
Wow! A serendipitous penalty, indeed!
The fact that Blanck and Harris were responsible for the death of almost 150 people yet they got away with it is incredibly disgusting.
Blanck died of paralytic syphilis!
Yeah, it is very sad. The families of the dead workers should at least have gotten justice. Sending Blanck and Harris to prison wouldn't have brought all the dead people back, but it would have been the right thing to do and might have eased the pain of grief at least a little bit.
They were lucky nobody sought revenge against them, if you catch my drift.
Blame the lack of safety regulations…
@@peecee1384 If people act selfish and greedy to a point where they need to be regulated and live in fear of legal punishment to prevent them from either directly or indirectly causing other peoples deaths to increase their own financial gains, does that mean they are blameless and innocent?
You know, whenever I observe safety systems and procedures even if annoying I always tell myself "This is process is here because people died"
Same here. Working in the plants, alot of people are careless when going in and out of confined spaces, they don't check the gas monitors etc. Though nitrogen deaths are one of the most common out here, they're playing with their lives for something so easily preventable.
Yep, just a natural way of learning from our mistakes.
Yep. Eventually we will all live in bubbles, and we will be safe!
I had to study this in college as part of a labor history course. Reading the first person accounts from survivors, public responses, and parts of the trial transcript was horrifying and upsetting. This tragedy is literally part of why we have building safety features in the United States. These women deserved better
Most women deserve BETTER, few get it.
Yepper
We worked for less wages until early 70's and New Zealand had a similar fire in the millinery dept of the most well known dept store in ChCh. 49 lives lost. Delia Morris
People leaping from windows...flashes of 9/11. This fire was such a tragedy, and infuriating that it could so easily have been prevented.
90 years later…
Profit over people.
Up until 9/11 it was the greatest loss of life during a fire in NYC
@@samanthab1923 Yeah, they said that. So horrifying.
@@DravenGal Did they? Sorry. I worked in WTC One. Was there in 93. Can’t imagine a worse way to go.
It's the locked doors that really impact me.
This story repeated itself in the small town of Hamlet, N.C. at a a chicken processing facility. The management had locked most exit doors because employee theft was rampant. Theft had become so rampant that employees were selling cases of chicken nuggets from the factory parking lot. Unfortunately a fire broke out and many died from smoke inhalation and being trampled/crushed by the workers trying to get out. The company filed for bankruptcy and completely dissolved.
Garment companies are still doing that!
Walmart got in trouble a few years back (in Oregon, I believe) for locking workers in the store and not allowing them to leave.
My Memere (grandmother) had spoken about this. She a d her older sisters worked in a handkerchief factory, and the owner made sure that the exits were always clear and left open. In time, many more safety features were added, until it closed.
Those poor women jumping to their death to avoid being burned alive reminds of the people in the towers.
I was thinking the same. Foreshadowing.
The effects of unmitigated greed never fail to horrify me. Well done, sir. An excellent retelling of this tragic tale.
What a heartbreaking story. I am grateful Paul relates these harrowing tales with great empathy..
The horror of stairwell doors being locked, an all but useless fire escape, ladders not reaching higher floors.. Thanks to the great visuals I could picture the whole scenario, leading to _"a heartbreaking fight to die on the sidewalk below instead of inside the inferno.."_ 😢
The fact Blanck and Harris got off scot-free is wrong, but to actually profit from the tragedy is abhorrent..
Thank you for the excellent presentation of this sad case.. 👍👏
They did save many lives when they were inside of the fire themselves. Blanck even risked his life to put out the fire in the early stages. Its probably why those trying to help inside the fire like the elevator operator who risked his life to go into the inferno to rescue people. And would have gone into it again if the bodies of people falling into the shaft didn't stop him. THis one isn't as cut and dry as most people think. And I am rather disappointed he went with the usual lines on this one. Its a much more in depth story than "evil businessmen"
still wouldnt have happened if they cared more about their workers than their profits
@@als3022
@@als3022Those notes don't matter so much, do they? The reason people died was because of "evil businessmen" who decided fire safety was too expensive. Who purchased a cheap fire escape. Who locked the stairwell doors. I don't think someone should get many pats on the back for attempting to rescue people from the death trap they, themselves, created.
It's like those stories you hear of a firefighter lighting a fire on purpose, so he can show up as the hero and rescue people. No matter how many lives he attempts to save or how many injuries he sustained, he's STILL THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE BLAZE. Culpability doesn't vanish because you tried to do good, far too late in the game.
Also, why would they profit so heavily from the deaths of those employees and not give that money back to the families affected? They obsolved themselves of guilt and ran off with the money.
Shades of Grenfell Tower here too, not getting more people out of a burning building and not having a ladder tall enough on the scene ASAP. Hard to believe the stupidity & illegality from one century & one country to the next.
@@mimsydreams thank you, you nailed the truth of the matter.
You so respectfully described this horrible American tragedy. You have brought me to tears. Thank you for remembering these poor young women and men.❤
I agree with your assessment, but they weren't all young!
The youngest person to die in the fire was a little girl of 14,the oldest a woman of 43,hardly what you would class as old.
I highly recommend "Triangle, the fire that changed America" by David Von Drehle. It's a wonderful book about a horrific subject that shouldn't be forgotten.
It really is a very good book. ANd goes much more into depth. It doesn't erase those trying to save people like this one did. Blonck one of the owners and the elevator operator risked their lives several times to save lives. I am disappointed this channel left that out.
@@als3022 One does not need to praise Mr Blanck for "saving lives". It was he, and his partner, who put all those women in danger and having caused the deaths of so many of them.
It's on my reading table as I type this.
Fantastic book, can't recommend it enough.
@@als3022 The owners were the ones who caused this to begin with, and they went on to do literally exactly the same thing again in other factories. He doesn't need or deserve praise for doing less than the bare minimum in a disaster that he caused himself. Are you related to him or why are you sat here simping for someone who repeatedly knowingly put his workers at risk to make a profit?
The story about the man helping the women out the window and him last made me cry😢
Oh Paul! This story about this horrible tragedy has left me saddened to the core. The love of money is the root of all evil!! This is proof! Thank you for sharing this with us. Blessings always! ❤️✝️
I remember learning about this is A-Level History. We were doing a course on women’s rights and unions. So tragic and avoidable, and an even more despicable response from the owners
What is B-level?
On July 22, 1913, there was a similar incident in Binghamton, New York at the Binghamton Clothing Factory. It employed about 100 people, mostly women and two men. The fire started in the basement and quickly shot up the stairs to the third and fourth floors, trapping the employees there. The entire building collapsed in 15 minutes. Due to the fire spreading so fast, the fire company was not able to offer much assistance. Of the 100 employees, 68 managed to escape, many with burns and injuries. 31 perished. Of the 31, 19 were unidentified. This put even more pressure on New York officials to strength the safety codes. Both were very tragic.
What happened to the 100th employee?
Never heard of this but thank you for another lesson in NY State history. Let us be grateful that there are some regulations and building codes. Likely there are hundreds or thousands of sweatshops in othrr countries such as China.
@@machector892 I am always grateful when I find thinking people on the internet. Well done, sir/madam!
@@ivanpetrov5185 Haha,thanks for the compliment although I’m not really one.
I actually looked up the disaster and found out that there were slightly different accounts of the number of workers present and death toll.While the total deaths were 31,one account has stated that all were women but a few others mentioned that a heroic foreman saved two workers was also among the dead.Besides that,there might have been more than a hundred workers working that day.
@@machector892 That explains everything. Still, this clip does not give this info. So, as a sane human being you calculate 31+68=100? What?!? I am glad somebody still uses their brain nowadays.
History proves that nothing has changed. The rich factory owners exploit vulnerable People. Paying them as little as possible. Working in inhumane conditions. While the rich live in their golden towers. RIP genuine and honest people xx
I remember reading about this tragedy in the 80's when I was in junior high in a book on disasters (I was a weird kid and now an even weirder adult). It struck a chord in me enough to talk about it for a speech tournament when I was given the category "Catastrophes".
I see nothing weird about your interests 😊
Proud of you.
Do you enjoy Gregorian Chants and Carlos Castaneda?
@@barneyronnieGregorian chanting heals the soul I do believe.
i love listening to your comforting voice in these horrible tragedy's, but this one was particularly harrowing. those poor women. the owners should have been punished much more severely.
That would have been very unlikely, and not because of they were rich reason either. (They were moderate businessmen and not anywhere near the Vanderbilt class) The reason is because they were inside of the building when it went up. Both of owners were also Jewish immigrants. He just mentions that they were chased to the roof. He leaves out that both men risked their lives to put out the fire before it grew and failed. And they didn't run by themselves, they made sure to try to save as many of their workers by taking them with them to the roof. That's not as easy to prosecute.
Made me think of those poor souls nearly 100 years later that week in the same predicament on 911 what a horrendous position they all had to face burn or jump 😢 very well told x
Well I think we all know wer those awful men wiv no concerns for safety of the very workers making them money are burning in themselves now in hell 🖤
this was preventable though and caused by rich men. although 9/11 was a retaliation from foreign countries to the oppression from the united statess. it hink theres a difference idk
I thought of the same thing, when he spoke about the third as bodies hit the ground. So tragic
I have been dreading the day I would hear this sad tale, but I'm ready. I appreciate how gently you speak as you narrate to us. Your channel reminds me of the shows I'd watch on PBS, growing up in the '90s. I'm happy to be here. Thank you.
Honestly wanted to cry during this video. I can't imagine how desperate they were to get out the building. Rest in peace to those souls who died. Again such a well empathetic told story.
It is nice to see that there are caring folks like you who have empathy for your fellow humans.
Rest in peace to the poor souls and condolences to their families who still mourn them to this day.
nothing changes. the christchurch ballanytines fire of 1947, echoes some of the same issues.
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
And it’s mostly(if not always) the hardworking class that pays the price for it.
. I'd say nobody is mourning them over 100 years later. Do you know what your great-grandparents names are? Don't worry most of us don't. And going back in 110 115 years there'll be a few greats on the grandparents scale. Now people today will use anything to push their own agenda. That is what we see happening with the pictures of these women from 100 years ago. Sad fact but it's true. We are just one generation away from being forgotten..
You have a point there although I feel at some point,their descendants are going to look up their family tree and find out the truth.While they may not mourn to the same extent as the past generations,I can imagine that at least there will still be a sense of loss or pity for someone to lose their lives so tragically.
And yes,it’s very unfortunate and quite disgusting that some people will use the victims for their own selfish reasons.It’s already bad enough that they suffered such a fate in life only to be ‘misused’ in death.
@@machector892 Yes, they are indeed mourned by their families; families who never knew them and wish they did. Their descendants mourn them, just as I mourn family from the 18th century whom I would dearly loved to have known. What you wrote is true, despite the naysayers :)
Heartbreaking indeed. Greedy buggers! Love the fact that girls of today have ceremonies to celebrate the lives lost.
Good on them!!!!! ❤❤❤
Much as I understand the sentiment, if we had ceremonies everytime there was a disaster, no one would get any work done. It's over a hundred years ago. Time to move on.
@@elainekent7026what a strange statement.
There's no time limit on these things. A hundred years ago is nothing considering how old mankind has been living on this planet. It's like a second in time. It doesn't matter if it was fifty, a hundred, thousand, or thousands of years ago. A tragedy occurred and lives were lost under horrible circumstances.
And their lives were not lost in vain. Safety in the workplace laws and changes were made because of the tragic loss of those brave women.
If people want to take an hour or two out of their day to honor those who lost their lives then so what? They could be doing it on their lunch break or after work hours. Work is still getting done.
It's out of respect and to show that the people are not forgotten.
Many lives were lost in WWI
That's over a hundred years ago. Every year there are rememberance services and ceremonies to honor service people who have lost their lives during the various wars over the years.
There's been many tragedies and disasters over the centuries.
Are we to forget about the people and forget history.
Of course not. There's nothing wrong with honoring those who lost their lives. It doesn't matter how long ago an event happened.
There's nothing wrong with having some compassion, having some empathy, being humble, and taking time to consider the fragility of our own lives.
Disgusting greed still prevails to this day.
A truly tragic story that you tell in such a way as to make it seem you are speaking on behalf of the women and giving them a voice over 100 years later. Thanks for posting.
Sad that these women had left old world countries ruled by monarchs who despised the common worker, only to land in a new world ruled by capitalists who equally despised the common worker. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Boy did you hit the nail on the head. There is always a BOSS. People that are elevated to boss status get there by stepping on many people. They are soulless creatures that go about they're jobs without empathy or human compassion.
Today we call them CEO.
Yep irony
This makes me think of one line in an Oversimplified video: Expect your lives to barely change
I was fortunate to have a decent history teacher who went over this tragedy and touched on others to instruct us in the need for workers reform and building safety. I have never forgotten her lessons, to hear you narrate the Triangle disaster brought it well to life. Thanks Paul for your excellent delivery and wonderful fact team.
Did the fire prevention expert not testify at the trial? That Blanck & Harris had ignored advice & letters documenting necessary change, while increasing their insurance: says it all for me!
I hope Blanck and Harris had nightmares for the rest of their greedy little life's! Monsters!! Both of them !
Early life check.
Let's not forget the Dhaka Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh 24th of November 2012 with the loss of over 117 lives & over 200 injured. Interesting fact about the Shirtwaist Fire was that survivor Rose Freedman who was 17 at the time died in 2001 aged 107.
There are still many fires killing so many because greedy people.. many celebrities, use the slave labor for their name brand clothing.
Yes. I was thinking about the Bangladesh fire.
I read about that one. There was another one in India regarding a pesticide plant in Bhopal. The owners/managers stopped maintaining a lot of safety features, some they considered redundant. Over 500,000 people in towns surrounding the plant were exposed to a highly toxic gas. There was over 2000 immediate deaths, 8000 over two weeks, and at least another 8000 since then. 3900 permanently disabled. The government paid compensation to 3700 families and to over 500,000 injured.
Things like this still happen in clothing factories overseas to this day. Building collapses, etc. They work very long hours and get paid almost nothing. This is what you are doing when you buy inexpensive clothes from China, Thailand, etc. It’s very sad. I watched a documentary on how mica (the stuff that makes make up sparkly) is collected. Horrible!
I saw that in China they put up nets around the buildings because too many workers were jumping off the building in suicide attempts.
@@MarkovianMan OMG Horrible to even think about
I studied this story many years ago in A People’s History of the United by Howard Zinn. This rendition is delivered with such a sweet, melancholy voice that brings a sense of respect for each of the victims of that tragic, horrendous event. Well done, sir. I'm going to be looking for other narrations from you.
No matter how often I hear the story told or reread the accounts I never cease to feel sick with horror and a crushing sense of loss.
PBS had an excellent documentary are this tragedy. One detail that you omitted, was the heartbreaking fact that when some of the women jumped they were impaled on a nearby spiked fence. Making this even more dreadful than what it already was. That stuck with me from the PBS documentary. I couldn't even imagine being a spectator to that kind of horror.
This story is so horrifying it seemed almost distasteful to give it a 'thumbs up 👍'. I thank the owner of the chanel for informing us of this forgotten tragedy. 🙏
I was senior fire safety officer in a uk fire and rescue service....this incident is still talked about when training fire safety officers to this day
So horrible that because of someone's ego so many people had to die. What is so hard to understand about people needing to be safe at work? They were too cheap to care..
My heart bleeds for the poor soules who died. Thank you for telling us this story today, so they are not forgotten.
"souls"
This was just devastating to hear. It's to bad that it takes something like this to get laws changed. Thank you Paul
I had never heard of this before Paul, thank you for posting such a tragic tale with your usual sensitivity. I salute you sir!
Thanks for the upload, Paul. We must learn from these tragedies and keep remembering them, lest we become too complacent.
Have walked by this building many times and it makes you sad thinking of all of those women dying. At least they have a plaque outside to tell the story.
And now a proper memorial to honor their memory went up a few memories
I was friends with the daughter of a woman who watched this from across the street, at a different shirt factory. She was new to the country, and had applied for a job at Triangle the day prior, but they rejected her because she didn’t speak English. Lucky her
It's not about you...
This incident is still to this day the shame of New York. Not until 9/11 did as many die in one building in this state. Every New Yorker downstate and upstate knows about it long before they go to high school.
But more died in the 1904 General Slocum Fire. One location, just on the East River. Also due to negligence and greed.
Thank you for reporting something that needs to be remembered like this❤
That had to be so horrifying for the brave firefighters, who no doubt did everything they possibly could, with equipment simply not up to the task. Even today, tackling a fire of that scale and intensity would be a mammoth task to undertake. It would not surprise me at all if a large number of those first responders left the career after that.
Firefighters ladders nowadays reach only to the 8th floor.
@@lauraswann5543 I'm fortunate enough to live in a city that has specifically invested in ladders taller than that, due to the number of tall buildings we have here. We're one of very few cities in the UK to have ladders that will reach the tenth floor - I know with certainty that London has ladders that reach the 20th floor.
Elevator operator sending his car all the way tot he floor to pick up people and bring them to safety. ANd when he tried to go again his car being disabled by the bodies falling into the elevator shaft.
Make no mistake, whenever you hear the word "deregulation" this is what it looks like, businesses getting to decide on their own how miserable the job can be, and how much safety equipment is "enough" to purchase and maintain. Left to their own devices, they INVARIABLY push workers harder and longer and skimp on anything that decreases profits by even the slightest bit.
Hear, hear. 😢
Making these people a memory for more people
Bless you Paul and your team
RIP ❤
Thank you for this video Paul. I might look up the movie others are talking about later. This tragedy, a long with other similar ones, might be one of the reasons why many American companies advertise their clothes as Union Made. Seeing that the company only lasted until 1918, this event definitely affected the consciences of many consumers at the time. Sadly, we collectively are still often unaware of the working conditions of those who make many of our garments. Many think if it is foreign-made, and inexpensive, then out of sight out of mind.
Triangle Fire is the name of the movie if I remember correctly .
I remember hearing this story last year in online school! My teacher said it was one of the worst disasters in New York until 9/11 happened, or something similar to what she said
I remember requesting for you to tell this story a month ago...thank you for taking my request seriously. It was interesting to hear your take on this tragic story.
When Sheppard describes the bodies hitting the pavement and being able to be heard all over the city; I was thinking about the crashing sounds of bodies hitting the pavement when the firemen were trying to organize going up the floors of the Twin Towers. If you find the French brothers video of that day, you can hear it!
It's heartbreaking to see this kind of practice still used by large corporations like Amazon but because they have such a monopoly on online shopping, it's almost impossible to not to support them consciously or unconsciously
Ah yes, because the working conditions are EXACTLY the same.
You've clearly never worked for them then. Neither have I personally, but I do happen to know that their working conditions and benefits are actually quite reasonable. At least round here, anyway.
They're definitely better than a ramshackle death trap factory in the early 20th century, that's for sure.
So no, they're not the same at all, so don't play the 'its heartbreaking to think.....' card. Makes you look like a proper Karen.
Countess: Yes, I've only just been watching the WanderingTurnip video about Amazon - those VERY large sheds don't even have windows AND I did not see any exit doors in the building - what are they thinking? Or are they not ❓☹☹
@@beebopvroop5218 People literally dying on the factory floor and drivers having to piss in bottles because they're not allowed pee breaks, aw yeah murrica has gotten so far 🤣
I was reminded of this horrific tragedy when watching the footage from 9/11 & Grenfell. I imagine the situations being somewhat similar. All three events had evil doers at their core, IMO.
A horrible and sad tragedy. Another testament to how greed kills.
How's the story of the Calhoun County, Alabama trio (Hilley, Doss and Hyatt) coming along? My sister, mother, best friend and I are dying to see it!
When good people fail to fight evil, evil wins.
How those factory owners got off the hook for an entirely preventable mass loss of life is astounding.
Paul Brodie is a genius storyteller!
Thank you for reminding us that workers safety and rights must be vigilantly protected. It seems greed will overcome decency everytime.
My heart, condolences, and prayers to those women who lost their lives to corporate greed and the fire that ended them. My prayers for the families who loved them so dearly. It's so terrible that they went through this. I worked at Amazon during the first part of Covid, and I HATED the working conditions. I immediately along with my sister when it was getting worse at work and health wise.
We were shown this story in grade school. The thing that amazed all:of us kids were the locked doors. It was so obvious even to kids that you don’t do that. Such a horrific tragedy
This was early 1970’s when we watched it
I’ve never heard of this tragedy before. Thank you for keeping their stories alive!
“Threads and Flames” by Esther Friesner
Puts a very human face on the tragedy. Makes it more real, more horrifying. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a book that made me cry more than this one
I was totally transfixed when I first watched this film years ago. It was utterly heartbreaking, I never forgot it, have since looked up the true story on Google, and I’m still fascinated by it 👍🏼
You can find the movie The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal here on YT. It aired as a TV movie in 1979, and it was a good one. Although much was dramatized (like the individual characters), it was based on the events and the people who were there. I remember it particularly as I was taking a course in Labor Legislation at the time.
@@zzydny thanks, I know, I watched it first on TV in 1979 and later on RUclips. It obviously was dramatised for effect, but when I delved into it more over the years I could just imagine the characters from the film could have existed.
My Great Aunt Bessie Viviano was 15 when she died there ,So sad.
Thank you so much for covering this. This story has always fascinated and saddened me, such a waste of so many lives cut too short.
I’ve always thought it one of the most moving stories of the 20th Century in America. So unnecessary; so tragic. Thanks, Paul
We actually covered this in my modern history course under the workers rights movement section.
The thing that horrified me that Paul didnt mention was girls jumping into the elevator shaft to escape the fire.
This truly was one of the sparks that really ignited the workers rights movement even further (pun kinda intended).
Omg 😢 75.00 per death that is outrageous ! I’m so sad for the victims and there families 😢
I absolutely love your channel. You have combined my love of historical events and murder mysteries. I would love it if you could do a piece on John Dillinger. I live in Indiana and his life and story never ceases to amaze me
I have heard of this horrific story.. so so heartbreaking.😢
I can't imagine the horror they went thru.
I found this true story as a made-for-tv movie on RUclips from I believe 1975. If I recall it's simply called, "The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire", and I think it's starred Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele), and Tom Bosley(he played Mr. Cunningham, Richie's father on Happy Days),
and others I can't remember. It was really well done, and I've never forgotten it. I'll have to check and see if it's still up loaded here.
What a total carnage of these dear workers.
As usual, the culprits seemingly get off very well, and so many have lost their lives in horrendous circumstances.
Very well reported on this one Paul, really brought it home to all us viewers I am sure. RIP dear Folks.
I tried to imagine me, my mom and sister in this situation and I can’t stop crying 😢
Now, that’s the way to educate…thank you for a very informative upload. 🏴🇬🇧
This video was a lovely treat after my overnight shift 😊 Thanks Paul!
This story makes me so angry. Injustice is infuriating. Companies are putting money over lives again, in healthcare where I work, short staffing nurses means an increase of 10% patient deaths from all causes. We have been sounding the alarm but corporate leaders say we are just greedy and lazy, as they collect their bonuses for 'making budget'.😢
I've been advocating for
#MedicareForAll
Not because it would be perfect, but because the current system is obviously failing so many.
The problems standing in the way of change are
1. disinformation, flat out telling people it wouldn't work, and "how would we pay for it"
2. The gradual undermining of our public education system and raising of higher education costs combined with predatory lending
3. Limited knowledge of the loss of life outside of the medical community, along with limited knowledge of the facts that these deaths are easily preventable.
Lower cost insulin, inhalers, and the enactment of ACA help. But there is nothing such as the bodies of workers falling from a building to shock Americans into action, as in this tragedy.
Even with COVID, the fact that we were all separated from others made, for some people outside of the medical community, this situation seem less real.
I'm familiar with this tragedy, but I haven't seen the harrowing photos before. As usual Paul, you have judged the tone perfectly. Sometimes, a little subtle humour where possible and, as in this case, a perfect sense of gravitas where levity would be unthinkable. Thank you Paul.
There are photos of the deceased jumpers laying on the ground being tagged. In some cases it's hard to make anything out owing to technology and age, but a few you can see the faces on those poor people.
Paul, thank you I appreciate the history you report. Sadly the lack of accountability is still a big part of the world we live in along with greed! Life isn't worth much, when it comes to money.😢
Another fascinating story and video as always. RIP to all who were lost. So sad that the owners were not held accountable for this useless tragedy. Great job Sir Paul. Keep them coming.👍👍
Its like going back in time watching this RUclipsr
I don't know if you take requests, but have you heard of the SS Phoenix disaster (1845)?
This one I personally know of, because most of the passengers on this ship were Dutch immigrants that originally came from the region where I live. It used to be a very destitute area of the Netherlands. They were looking for a better life in Wisconsin. Instead, with only a few miles of their long journey left, they met with death.
I've read multiple articles and seen several videos about this horrible disaster - you're reporting is among the very best!!!💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️
I saw this TV film when I was 13 and it has stayed with me as I am 60 now this was an excellent account of this tragic true story
Same, I’m now 62 and watched when I was a teenager. I never forgot how utterly heartbreaking it was, and so years later I looked up the real story on Google. I’m still transfixed by it 👍🏼
Me, too! I saw it at my grandmother’s place and never forgot it. I became a bit obsessed with the event and years later when I, by sheer coincidence, ended up taking a few classes in the Asch building (NYU owns the building now), I read everything I could get my hands on about it. I highly recommend the book “Triangle: the fire that changed America” by David von Drehle, which perfectly describes the fire, the events that led up to it, and the reforms that followed it.
@@1961-v9k isn’t it interesting? How we can have that much affect on us I was fascinated by to and read every book I could find one thing I remember that to that was one of the actresses was really good Stephanie Zimbalist she was in so much TV in the 70s and 80s but I finally watched it again a few years ago and it still is difficult to watch
@@JosieJOK amazing that you took classes in that actual building. I’m going to try download that book on my Kindle. Thanks for the recommendation 👍🏼
@@Mykelaugustinereed1963 yes, it’s very interesting, and the fact that most of my friends and acquaintances when asked never seem to have heard of it. Yes, Stephanie Zimbalist was great in the film. I also watched it again a few years ago and found it so hard to watch. I know the real images of the dead can be viewed online, but I think that would finish me 😪
A needless, horrific tragedy. So many workers were exploited and sacrificed to never-ending corporate greed. We must never forget.
As a factory worker myself for the last seven years, I've often wondered if the Triangle tragedy is the reason why my factory is so focused on safety.
It'll be the fear of lawsuit.
Growing up in New York, I am familiar with this tragedy. The men responsible were given a slap on the wrist. Unfortunately, worker safety too often comes at the price of worker’s lives. 😢
I just want to say that four times in the last week I heard someone say, "Well, I never..." One was a tv show (Father Brown, I think), and the others were right here, right now, random people in the small city where I live. Before your channel, I hadn't heard it for years...
Great video, I was on the safety committee 10 years at my workplace, and even now, the same things happen . It was, at times, a struggle to get people to follow the safety laws.
I haven't seen any mention of the history of the Toy & Bickford Fuse Factory fire in Hartford County, Connecticut. Two of my 3x great aunts died in that fire. One went it a widow and was crawling across a plank to the next building when she died.
I'm majoring in interior design, and we're covering laws, codes, and regulations. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was used as an example of why we had to develop fire codes.
Love the videos! Always a delight to see your content pop up in my feed
This is why it's important to fight against pushes to deregulate. Regulations are written in the blood of so many people that died in horrific ways that were absolutely preventable.
Depends on the regulations. We unfortunately are dealing with some serious crooks in present day that want regulations in place to line their pockets. It goes both ways.
@@TheIndependentLens Line their pocket? What the fuck are you talking about? US Guys Processing only got fined $1143 after a 17 year old boy lost his hand. And a lot of places are trying to put more children into hazardous work places. Deregulation is not in favor of the worker, and anyone that thinks it is is ignorant or lying.
God bless the gentleman who risked burning to help the ladies make that final leap. How horrible.
I am in tears at this.
Rest in Peace to all the people who died in that horrific tragedy💔
The owners Blanck and Harris should have been made accountable. They certainly should not have profited from it.
I have a book that was given to me as a child, called So Far From Home and its the (fictional) diary of an Irish girl sent to America during the Great Hunger. The journey from Cork to Massachusetts was harrowing enough, but unfortunately that was only the beginning of her story. At 14 years old, this child had to go to work in a clothing factory just like The Triangle factory. Locked doors, no bathroom breaks, long work days, and all of the workers were very young children and women. They took zero safety precautions which led to the looms snapping off fingers and scalping long-haired girls. Wages were practically nothing. Life outside of the factory didnt sound much better. But the most gut-wrenching thought I had while reading this book is that the girl was just grateful that she wasn't starving to death in Ireland.
Horrible! 😢😢
I think I'd rather starve with my family in Ireland rather than risk my life for long hours in a dangerous factory every day, thousands of miles from home. 😢
Thank you very much. I never heard about this before😢 such a sad story
I just discovered you. Very very well done!! My dad was born in Newark NJ and I had never heard of that particular fire in Newark. I had read "Ashes Of Roses" which is a story about this fire. It brought me to tears!! My dad actually went to Columbia Chiropractic College so it was interesting to note the college too tried to warn these morons of the dangers they were putting on their employees. I didn't know they had profited from the deaths and that alone is horrific!! I guess they now are burning just like their poor victims but they are going to burn forever and ever unlike their victims! They can escape human justice but they cannot escape the wrath of God! Love how you presented this and how thorough you were with the facts. Great job!
The horrors of the employees locked in the places of business. The “Fire Insurance” business in Philadelphia in the early US, had the strange practice that if you bought the insurance your fire would be put out, if not they wouldn’t. High rises have always been fire hazards. There is a county elder hospital near me that is 3 stories taller than any fire ladders.