What was the significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire?

The fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company was a major
event in US history because it dramatized the need for better working conditions for
American laborers.

The fire, which killed 146 textile
workers, happened in New York City in 1911.  The fire killed the workers because they
were locked into their workplace and had no way of escaping.  In the aftermath of the
fire, the owners of the factory were let off with a nominal fine and no other
punishments.

The fire showed that many American workers
were forced to work in very dangerous conditions.  It led to a push for laws that would
require companies to ensure that their workplaces were safe.  These laws required things
like sprinklers to put out fires, fire escape doors that opened outwards, and
restrictions on smoking in workplaces.