The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was an intolerable sweatshop. In cramped, hot and unsanitary conditions, young garment workers toiled for up to 12 hours a day, every day, for little in return. Near closing time on March 25, 1911, 146 people lost their lives when a fire consumed the eighth floor of the Triangle factory, located in Greenwich Village’s Washington Square.

Most of the victims were Italian and Jewish immigrant women and girls, aged 14 to 23, who had recently arrived to the U.S. For 90 years, it stood as the deadliest workplace disaster in New York City’s history. The deadly fire broke out in a pile of rags, and the hose that could’ve doused the flames was rotted. The fire quickly spread and panic ensued.