1912day.year
The British passenger liner RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m., two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. Only 710 of 2,224 passengers and crew on board survive.
In 1912, the RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic after colliding with an iceberg, with only 710 of the 2,224 passengers and crew surviving.
In the early hours of April 15, 1912, the British passenger liner RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Despite being touted as unsinkable, the ship’s hull was severely breached, and it sank at 2:20 a.m., less than three hours after the collision.
The disaster claimed the lives of over 1,500 people, due in part to a shortage of lifeboats and chaotic evacuation procedures.
Survivors were rescued by the RMS Carpathia after enduring hours in icy waters aboard lifeboats.
The Titanic tragedy led to major reforms in maritime safety regulations, including lifeboat requirements and ice patrols.
1912
RMS Titanic
sinks
North Atlantic
iceberg
1923day.year
Racially motivated Nihon Shōgakkō fire lit by a serial arsonist kills 10 children in Sacramento, California.
In 1923, a racially motivated arson at the Nihon Shōgakkō Japanese school in Sacramento killed ten children, shocking the community.
On April 15, 1923, an arsonist set fire to the Nihon Shōgakkō Japanese school in Sacramento, California, amid rising anti-Japanese sentiment.
The blaze quickly engulfed the wooden structure, trapping students and teachers inside classrooms.
Ten children perished in the attack, leading to widespread outrage both in the United States and in Japan.
The incident highlighted the dangers of racial hatred and prompted local communities to call for better protection of minority groups.
The Nihon Shōgakkō fire is remembered as a tragic reminder of the consequences of xenophobia in American history.
Nihon Shōgakkō fire
1989day.year
Hillsborough disaster: A human crush occurs at Hillsborough Stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday, in the FA Cup Semi-final, resulting in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.
A crushing crowd surge at Hillsborough Stadium during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final killed 97 Liverpool fans, marking one of football's darkest days.
On April 15, 1989, overcrowding at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium led to a fatal human crush in the Leppings Lane stand. Ninety-seven Liverpool supporters lost their lives and hundreds were injured as barriers and exits became blocked. The disaster exposed critical shortcomings in stadium safety and crowd management by authorities. Subsequent investigations revealed failures in police and emergency response. The tragedy prompted sweeping reforms in English football, including the removal of standing terraces and the introduction of all-seater stadium requirements. It remains a poignant reminder of the need for rigorous crowd safety measures.
1989
Hillsborough disaster
Hillsborough Stadium
Sheffield Wednesday
Liverpool
2002day.year
Air China Flight 129 crashes on approach to Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, killing 129 people.
Air China Flight 129 crashed while landing at Busan's Gimhae International Airport in 2002, resulting in 129 fatalities.
On April 15, 2002, Air China Flight 129 encountered severe weather while on approach to Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea. The Boeing 767 descended below the glide path and struck a hillside short of the runway in poor visibility. Of the 166 people on board, 129 lost their lives and 37 survived with injuries. Investigations cited pilot error, inadequate flight crew training, and challenging weather conditions as contributing factors. The accident led to revisions in approach procedures and safety protocols at Korean airports. It remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea's history.
2002
Air China Flight 129
Gimhae International Airport
Busan
2013day.year
Two bombs explode near the finish line at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, killing three people and injuring over 500 others.
Two bombs detonated near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring over 500 participants and spectators.
On April 15, 2013, two homemade explosive devices detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, shocking the city and the world. The blasts killed three spectators and injured more than 260 runners and bystanders. Law enforcement launched an intense manhunt that led to the identification and capture of the perpetrators days later. The attack prompted heightened security measures at public events across the United States. The tragedy underscored vulnerabilities to domestic terrorism and fostered a renewed spirit of solidarity, epitomized by the rallying cry, 'Boston Strong.' Recovery efforts and medical innovations helped many survivors rebuild their lives.
2013
Two bombs explode
Boston Marathon
Boston
2019day.year
The cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris in France is seriously damaged by a large fire.
A massive fire engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019, causing severe damage to the historic landmark.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, a catastrophic blaze broke out beneath the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of Europe's most celebrated medieval landmarks. Flames and thick smoke consumed the wooden framework, including the iconic spire, which collapsed in a dramatic moment captured worldwide. Firefighters battled the inferno for over 12 hours, ultimately saving the main structure and priceless relics. The cathedral's vault remained largely intact, but extensive damage to the roof and interior prompted an outpouring of grief and solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame within five years, spurring global fundraising efforts. The restoration project has become a symbol of cultural heritage preservation and national resilience.
2019
Notre-Dame de Paris
a large fire