A Titanic Impact for 100 Years!

On April 15th 1912, the luxury steamer Titanic sank in the Northern Atlantic Ocean killing approximately 1500 people. This event was a shared experience in a time before there was instant access, 24 hours a day, to entertainment.

The Titanic tragedy had a unique combination of elements that made it a marker of 20th century history. Titanic was not the greatest disaster ever, but it happened in the right place, at the right time, had the right reputation, and the right players to capture the attention of the world and have a lasting impact on our society.

The story of the Titanic is one of irony, arrogance, the pressures of society, class and cultural warfare, technology, and human fallibility. The facets of this drama were utilized as ammunition to further social and political reforms.

This event helped to fuel changes in how society values human life and was an impetus to implement safety standards. Immediate influences were the mandatory use of electronic communication, minimum lifeboat capacities, and the development of the ice patrol.

Titanic spurred debate over women's rights with the questioning of the motto, "Women and children first”, which really only played out in the upper-class where 97% of the women survived.

Already a prevalent issue in society at the time, the death of 75% of passengers in the steerage or lower-class sections of the boat brought about many accusations of wrong-doing and indifference to the survival of the poor. This event highlighted class struggles and helped to promote reforms in the treatment of the poor. Prejudices toward foreigners were also brought to the forefront of discussions.

Titanic was also a good example of both the fallibility of human technology while at the same time new technologies brought timely news of the Titanic to the masses. For 100 years people have been fascinated by the complexities and ironies of this event. Find out more utilizing the resources below.

Online Resources

The New York Times, April 16th, 1912
The Loss of the SS. Titanic by Lawrence Beesley (a second class passenger)
The truth about the Titanic by Archibald Gracie (a first class passenger)
Note: A view of the social standards of the time is revealed in this account in the treatment of people that the author deemed to be unworthy of referring to by name.

Books in the Library

Titanic Tragedy by John Maxtone-Graham
910.91 M451
Titanic, the Great Lakes Connections by Cris Kohl
363.12 K824
The Titanic disaster by Dave Bryceson
363.12 B843
Titanica 
 810.8 B476
Titanic, Destination Disaster by John Eaton and Haas Charles
910 Ea84
A night to remember by Walter Lord
910.453 L884
The maiden voyage by Geoffrey Jules Marcus
910.453 M334
The story of the Titanic, as told by its survivors by Jack Winocour
910.453 W731
Down with the old canoe by Steven Biel
910.91 B476
Titanic by Judith B. Geller
910.91 G282
All stations! distress! by Don Brown
C 910 B812
Voyage on the great Titanic by Ellen Emerson White
C F W582