A tragedy that shaped American labor laws

Firemen work at the scene of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in the Asch Building on New York's Washington Place, in this March 25, 1911 photo. Ninety-two years after the fire killed 146 young girls and women and triggered widespread labor reforms, the factory site was dedicated as a city landmark Tuesday in 2003. (AP Photo)

The San Antonio Light newspaper on Sunday, March 26, 1911, the day after the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in New York. During the blaze, horrified onlookers watched as workers leaped to their deaths from the building. The fire killed 146 workers, mainly young immigrant women and girls, and became a touchstone for the organized labor movement. It also spurred fire-safety laws and shed light on the lives of immigrant workers. (AP Photo)

This is a 1911 photo of the charred workroom of the factory after the fire engulfed the building. (AP Photo)

In this March 1911 file photo, family members try to identify the victims. (AP Photo)

In this 1911 file photo provided by the National Archives, labor union members gather to protest and mourn the loss of life in the fire. (AP Photo/National Archives)

These women, all survivors of the tragic conflagration, attend ceremonies in New York on March 25, 1961 on the 50th anniversary of the event. About 350 people narrowly escaped death in the fire that day. From left at the commemorative ceremony planned jointly by New York City and the International ladies garment workers union are Anna Gullo Pidone, Yetta Kreisel, Josephine Nicolosi and Flo Coannides. (AP/Photo)

People walk past the Asch building the day before the 100th anniversary of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Public outcry over the tragedy led to nationwide debate on workers rights and safety regulations and helped pave the way for strong workers unions. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Susanjoy Checksfield, center, a founding member of the Triangle Fire Coalition, join marchers at a rally to remember the 146 victims of the Shirtwaist factory fire of 1911, during the 100th anniversary commemoration on Friday, March 25, 2011 in New York. (Bebeto Matthews/Getty Images)

A man looks up at the Asch building as photos of the tragedy rest on the ground during the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire March 24, 2006 in New York City. (Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)