The RMS Titanic may have taken its maiden—and only—voyage over 100 years ago, but the fascination with the ship, its treasures, and the lives lost remains as popular today as it was the night it sank back in 1912.
The Titanic was considered the largest and most luxurious ocean liner in service when it embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City in April 1912. However, just four days into the trip, she struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, and on April 15, 1912—just two hours and 40 minutes after making contact—the ‘unsinkable ship’ plunged, bow first, into the icy waters.
Approximately 1,500 of Titanic's 2,224 passengers and crew on board lost their lives, and, to date, the tragic accident remains one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. The ship currently lays on the ocean floor, in two pieces, at a depth of about 12,500 feet some 350 nautical miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.
On April 15, 2012—the 100th anniversary of the tragedy—the first National Titanic Remembrance Day was observed, and each year, the date serves as a time to educate new generations on the ship’s history, remember the victims, and share stories of the survivors.
Edison Public Library cardholders can learn more, too. Check out some of these Titanic-related materials available:
