Top of page

Category: Development of the Industrial United States (1877-1914)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: Exploring Tragedy and Reform with Primary Sources

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

On March 25, 1911, a fire swept through the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, killing 146 men and women, many of them recent immigrants. It was later discovered that the workers faced many obstacles as they tried to flee the fire: Doors were locked by the factory's management and the fire escapes were inadequate. This catastrophe, which led to a public outcry, prompted updates to labor laws and reforms to fire and safety regulations.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Informational Text: Child Labor Reform Panels and Multimedia in the Early 20th Century

Posted by: Stephen Wesson

Common Core State Standards and many other standards require that students compare informational texts in different media. However, multimedia texts aren’t limited to the 21st century. In fact, one of the most compelling multimedia campaigns in U.S. history was launched more than one hundred years ago, using paper, glue, and an effective set of persuasive techniques.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Physical Education in Library of Congress Primary Sources

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

May is Physical Fitness Month. Based on America’s popular culture obsession with physical fitness, one might be tempted to label fitness as a modern phenomenon. Primary sources hardly come to mind, but in fact, students can discover a rich and extensive history of physical fitness through the collections of the Library of Congress.