1911day.year

In New York City, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire kills 146 garment workers.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on 25 March 1911 killed 146 garment workers.
On a Saturday afternoon in March 1911, a fire broke out on the top floors of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in Manhattan. The factory’s locked doors and narrow staircases trapped workers, most of whom were young immigrant women. Despite efforts to fight the flames, 146 people perished, many by smoke inhalation or jumping to escape. The tragedy shocked the nation and became a catalyst for labor reform and workplace safety laws. Public outrage led to the creation of strict building codes and strengthened labor unions.
1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
1947day.year

An explosion in a coal mine in Centralia, Illinois kills 111.

A massive coal mine explosion in Centralia, Illinois claims 111 miners’ lives in one of the deadliest U.S. mining disasters.
On a spring morning, a methane gas buildup ignited deep within the Centralia No. 5 mine, causing a powerful blast. Rescue crews faced toxic gases and unstable tunnels as they attempted to reach survivors. Poor ventilation and outdated safety protocols compounded the tragedy, trapping many miners underground. The disaster provoked widespread public outcry and led to stricter federal mine safety regulations. Memorials in Centralia now honor the lost workers and remind the industry of the human cost of lax oversight.
1947 explosion in a coal mine Centralia, Illinois