On this day in 1860, the Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts collapsed, killing around 150 people, mostly Scottish and Irish women. Despite workers testifying that the building was unsafe, no one was punished for the disaster.

John B. Tuttle, superintendent of brickwork, told the architect Charles Bigelow he thought the walls insufficient, and another engineer testified in court he knew the building was not well-made.

The Pemberton Mill was rebuilt and still stands today.