New Special Award for 2011!

I have some very exciting news. Yesterday I spoke with Paul F. Cole, Executive Director for the American Labor Studies Center at the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in Loudonville. He reminded me that the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire (a perpetual History Day favorite topic) will be 100 years old next year. And he said that they are interested in sponsoring a Special Award at the 2011 New York State History Day contest. Yay! Here's the scoop:

"The American Labor Studies Center (ALSC) is sponsoring a Gold Medal special prize ($1000) in the National History Day (NHD) contest and a $250 special prize and the Kate Mullany Medal in the New York State NHD contest for the best entry in the 'American Labor History' category.

"The theme for the 2010-2011 National History Day Contest is 'Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences.'

"The centennial of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire will be commemorated on March 25, 2011. The event was one of the single most significant events in New York State history, not only because of the tragedy itself, but the extensive laws and regulations that followed and the growth of trade unions.

"The ALSC is encouraging students to consider a project relating to the Triangle Fire for submission to the NHD contests. Of particular significance relating to the theme is the discussion and debate that followed the fire with respect to its causes and what steps needed to be taken to prevent similar occurrences. Another theme to explore is the relevance of the Triangle Fire and its aftermath to contemporary workplace safety and health issues, sweatshops, child labor, labor law reform and the debate over the extent and nature of government regulations.

"The most important study on the Triangle Fire was done by the New York (State) Factory Investigating Commission that was composed of a number of important labor and political figures including Al Smith, Robert Wagner and Samuel Gompers.

"Perhaps the best single resource, among many is the web site of the Cornell University New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations Catherwood Library (http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/). Many of the original Commission documents are available at the New York State Office of Cultural Education Archives http://www.archives.nysed.gov/aindex.shtml).

"While there were a number of preliminary reports from a variety of sources including news accounts, labor press articles and others, probably the single best resource (available at both the Archives and the Cornell and web site) is the New York (State) Factory Investigating Commission, Fourth Report of the Factory Investigating Commission, 1915. 5 vols. Albany, J.B. Lyon company, printers, 1915, 1: 2-11.

"For additional information on American labor history, go to www.labor-studies.org."

Cool, huh? Each year NYS History Day offers an array of Special Awards during the state contest. To take a look at last year's Special Awards, visit http://nyshistoryday.org/Awards.htm