The Shirtwaist Factory's Significance

  The tragedy of the Shirtwaist Factory fire over a century ago is unfortunately extremely relevant in the world today. The fire in the early 1900s highlighted the dangerous working conditions, the practiced power that business owners held and the hopelessness of the un-unionized workers. The working conditions and treatment of those working on March 25, 1911 in the factory can still be seen today in the form of sweatshops and child labor-run businesses. Many workers today go to work knowing the possibility of not returning because of their occupation. Business owners then and now are given unimaginable amounts of power which often leads to them abusing this power putting their workers' lives in jeopardy. There is still a possibility of another tragedy like the Shirtwaist Factory Fire happening today because people will always look for a faster, cheaper way to produce regardless of laws or basic human instincts.