In 1912 , approximately 20,000 workers ( including 5,000 women ) marched to the park to commemorate the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire , which had killed 146 workers the year before . Many of the women wore fitted tucked-front blouses like those manufactured by the Triangle Shirtwaist Company . This clothing style became the working woman 's uniform and a symbol of female independence , reflecting the alliance of labor and suffrage movements . Over 25,000 people marched on the park demanding women 's suffrage in 1915
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Washington Square Park