World History
Sirens Mark Great Quake of 1906. One hundred years ago today, one of the worst natural disasters in American history occurred. A large earthquake, estimated at 7.8 on the Richter Scale, hit the city.
The death toll is hard to know. CNN noted, "Historians say city officials, eager to bring people and commerce back to the city, radically underestimated the death toll. Researchers are still trying to settle on a number, but reliable estimates put the loss above 3,000, and possibly as high as 6,000."
The quake hit early in the morning when most people were still in bed. CNN wrote, "The foreshock sent people scrambling, and the main shock arrived with such fury that it flattened crowded rooming houses. The epicenter was a few miles offshore of the city, but it was felt as far away as Oregon and Nevada. In 28 seconds, it brought down the City Hall."
What followed was equally as devastating. Fires broke out in many parts of the city. Some fires were started by natural gas lines breaking. Other fires were the result of arson. The fires lasted for 4 days and nights.
Looting was also rampant. Mayor Eugene Schmitz ordered that looters be shot on site. Reportedly, some 500 people were shot.
It took San Francisco years to recover. However, it was rebuilt quickly enough that it was able to host the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The city also adopted the symbol of the Phoenix for the city flag and seal to represent a rise from the ashes.
More information on this historical disaster can be found at the 1906 Earthquake Centennial Alliance official site
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World History
Sirens Mark Great Quake of 1906
Sirens Mark Great Quake of 1906. One hundred years ago today, one of the worst natural disasters in American history occurred. A large earthquake, estimated at 7.8 on the Richter Scale, hit the city.The death toll is hard to know. CNN noted, "Historians say city officials, eager to bring people and commerce back to the city, radically underestimated the death toll. Researchers are still trying to settle on a number, but reliable estimates put the loss above 3,000, and possibly as high as 6,000."
The quake hit early in the morning when most people were still in bed. CNN wrote, "The foreshock sent people scrambling, and the main shock arrived with such fury that it flattened crowded rooming houses. The epicenter was a few miles offshore of the city, but it was felt as far away as Oregon and Nevada. In 28 seconds, it brought down the City Hall."
What followed was equally as devastating. Fires broke out in many parts of the city. Some fires were started by natural gas lines breaking. Other fires were the result of arson. The fires lasted for 4 days and nights.
Looting was also rampant. Mayor Eugene Schmitz ordered that looters be shot on site. Reportedly, some 500 people were shot.
It took San Francisco years to recover. However, it was rebuilt quickly enough that it was able to host the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The city also adopted the symbol of the Phoenix for the city flag and seal to represent a rise from the ashes.
More information on this historical disaster can be found at the 1906 Earthquake Centennial Alliance official site
- Pompeii: The Living City
I just finished reading Pompeii: The Living City. It was written by Alex Butterworth and Ray Laurence. The book is excellent and I enjoyed it very much. If you think of Pompeii, the image is usually that of the doomed city with people dead or dying. Or,...
- Ancient Warning For Modern Italian City
Ancient warning for modern Italian city. For those who may get confused and believe that the past is not very important, this news story is for you! About 3780 years ago, Mount Vesuvius erupted in a huge display. This blast was far larger than the blast...
- Great Tangshan Earthquake
Great Tangshan Earthquake - An account of the anticipation of the great earthquake of 1976, and the steps that a few authorities took in the preceding days. It is from the UN Global Programme site. Over a quarter of a million people in China died during...
- Atomic Bombing Of Hiroshima
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- Battle At Prairie De Ann
Battle at Prairie De Ann - Detailed account about this little-known, four-day American Civil War battle. Includes CSA Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby's poetic report about the men who fought and died. From the site: The story of the four days of fighting...