2023 Happy Land Social Club Fire Memorial Mass will take place on SATURDAY, March 25th 2023
33 Years Later, This Tragedy continues to leave a hole in the hearts of the family and friends of Victims
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Copyright 2023 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or “T.O. Tayo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
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Bronx, New York – Bronx Community Board #6 presents The 2023 Happy Land Social Club Fire Memorial Mass. It will take place on SATURDAY, March 25th 2023 at 3pm.
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The Memorial Mass will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, located at 1900 Crotona Parkway in the Bronx.
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There will be a Vigil at The Happy Land Monument following the Memorial Mass.
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The Happy Land Social Club Fire took place in the early morning hours of March 25th 1990. Julio Gonzalez, a Cuban Refugee, had gotten into an argument with an ex-girlfriend of his, who worked as a coat check worker at the Social Club.
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Upon being thrown out by a bouncer from the Happy Land Social Club, Mr. Gonzalez walked to a local Amoco gas station, bought a plastic container filled with $1 worth of Gasoline, returned to the Happy Land Social Club, spread the gasoline at the base of staircase at the only known exit/entrance to the establishment, then lit a match and set fire to the gasoline.
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Some people escaped, but the smoke from the fire killed the remaining 87 victims inside. Leaving the victims to die from Asphixiation and Trampling.
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At the time, The Fire was the deadliest in New York City history since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, which took place on March 25th 1911.
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After the Happy Land Social Club Fire, New York City Authorities more strongly enforced fire safety regulations and tried to shut down illegal social clubs.
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May The Victims of The Happy Land Social Club Fire continue to Rest In Peace.