Marking a tragedy

[kambriel]

100 years ago today, on March 25, 1911 in New York City was the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Fire:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire

Managers kept the doors to the sewing rooms locked during working hours, so many of the young women (mostly Jewish and Italian immigrants*) couldn't escape ~ leading to a number of them finding no better option than to leap out of 8th, 9th, and 10th floor windows onto the sidewalks below. I remember watching a documentary on it some years ago, and how some thought the other dead ladies bodies would somehow "cushion" their fall, but it didn't really work that way... Others crowded on to a flimsy fire escape which ended up weakening in the heat, ultimately collapsing and bringing with it those who'd sought their hopeful escape. There are other incidents as well, but honestly, I find it hard emotionally to go through them all ~ read the link above to get the full story.

I think today I'm going to remember the spirits of these young ladies by taking a few hours off away from all things sewing/fabric related, go outside and breathe in some fresh air.

A list of names for all whom fell victim to the tragic blaze at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory:
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/triangle/trianglevictims2.html

*My great grandfather who emigrated from Sicily was a tailor in NYC in that era, so this strikes very close to heart.

~ Kambriel


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Comments

[christianet.livejournal.com]

My Sicilian grandmother and her mother were also seamstresses, but worked from home in North Bergen and in Gutenberg, NJ. They emigrated after the fire, however, so the working conditions they entered into were improved ones.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

the working conditions they entered into were improved ones.

Thank goodness. As I just told Laura, since I'm in charge of unlocking my own doors, I think the best thing I can do today is get out and appreciate fresh air, being able to walk where you please...

My Sicilian grandfather ended up moving from NYC to Wayne, NJ ~ sounds like our ancestors followed pretty close paths geographically. (Which is also making me think that we really ought to set aside some proper together-time next time I'm up there.)

[christianet.livejournal.com]

I'd love to get together with you and chat about our ancestors! I can also have the pictures we took in Sicily; and copies of my grandfather's and grandmother's emigration papers, as well as those of my great-grandfather.

I have this idle dream of one day being very rich and then pursuing Italian/EU citizenship. My grandfather actually did not become a US citizen until the early 1960s - long after my dad was born. Under Italian law, I could pursue citizenship, through my dad's line, I think.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

We've gone through that process as well, and could offer a lot of advice/help with it if you'd like ~ I'll let you know when we've got dates set and we'll be sure to figure something out :)