365day.year
The 365 Crete earthquake affected the Greek island of Crete with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing a destructive tsunami that affects the coasts of Libya and Egypt, especially Alexandria. Many thousands are killed.
A massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami strike Crete and the shores of Libya and Egypt, killing thousands and devastating Alexandria.
On July 21, 365, a massive earthquake struck off the southern coast of Crete, reaching an estimated intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale.
The seismic shock triggered a devastating tsunami that inundated coastal areas of Libya and Egypt, with Alexandria suffering particularly severe damage.
Contemporary accounts describe entire districts destroyed, ships thrown ashore, and widespread loss of life among residents and sailors.
The disaster disrupted trade routes and weakened the region's economic and social structures for years to come.
Emperor Valens dispatched aid and relief missions to the affected provinces, marking one of the early examples of imperial disaster response.
The 365 Crete earthquake remains one of the most destructive seismic events recorded in the ancient Mediterranean.
365
365 Crete earthquake
Alexandria
1907day.year
The passenger steamer SS Columbia sinks after colliding with the steam schooner San Pedro off Shelter Cove, California, killing 88 people.
The SS Columbia sank after colliding with the steam schooner San Pedro off Shelter Cove, California, resulting in 88 deaths.
On July 21, 1907, the passenger steamer SS Columbia was en route along the rugged California coastline when it collided with the steam schooner San Pedro. The impact tore a gash in Columbia's hull, forcing passengers and crew into the turbulent Pacific waters. Despite efforts to launch lifeboats, the rough sea conditions hampered rescue operations. Many lives were lost before nearby vessels arrived to assist, bringing the death toll to 88. The disaster prompted changes in maritime safety regulations and highlighted the perils of sea travel in the early 20th century. Wreckage from the tragedy remains a somber reminder of the incident off Shelter Cove.
1907
SS Columbia
Shelter Cove, California
1919day.year
The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express crashes into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building in Chicago, killing 12 people.
The Wingfoot Air Express airship crashed into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building in Chicago, killing 12 people.
In the summer of 1919, the Wingfoot Air Express was a symbol of the promise of dirigible travel. On July 21, it encountered engine trouble over downtown Chicago and began losing altitude rapidly. The airship struck the roof of the Illinois Trust and Savings Building and burst into flames upon impact. People inside the building and beneath on the street were caught off guard by the disaster. Twelve lives were lost and dozens more were injured as burning debris rained down. The crash spurred public fear of airship travel and led to stricter safety inspections for lighter-than-air craft.
1919
dirigible
Wingfoot Air Express
Chicago
1951day.year
Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 3505 disappears while flying from Vancouver to Tokyo. The aircraft and its 37 occupants are never found.
Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 3505 vanished en route from Vancouver to Tokyo, and its 37 passengers and crew were never recovered.
In July 1951, Flight 3505 departed Vancouver bound for Tokyo carrying 37 passengers and crew. Shortly after takeoff, all communications ceased and no wreckage was found. Despite extensive search efforts spanning months, no debris or bodies were recovered from land or sea. The disappearance remains one of aviation history's enduring mysteries. Investigations were hampered by limited technology and vast search areas over the Pacific Ocean. Over decades, rumors and theories emerged, but none provided conclusive evidence. To this day, the fate of Flight 3505 and its occupants remains unknown.
1951
Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 3505
Vancouver
Tokyo
1952day.year
The 7.3 Mw Kern County earthquake strikes Southern California with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing 12 and injuring hundreds.
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake shakes Southern California's Kern County, causing widespread damage and claiming 12 lives.
On July 21, 1952, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Kern County in Southern California. The quake registered XI on the Mercalli intensity scale, indicating extreme ground shaking. Buildings collapsed and fires broke out across several towns, while roads and bridges were heavily damaged. Twelve people lost their lives and hundreds were injured as aftershocks continued. Rescue workers faced difficult conditions amid broken infrastructure and gas leaks. The disaster prompted improvements in seismic building codes across California. Local communities rallied to rebuild and support affected families, shaping regional earthquake preparedness strategies.
1952
Kern County earthquake
Southern California
Mercalli intensity
1961day.year
Alaska Airlines Flight 779 crashes near Shemya Air Force Base in Shemya, Alaska killing six.
Alaska Airlines Flight 779 crashes near Shemya Air Force Base in Alaska, killing six people on board.
On July 21, 1961, Flight 779, a passenger aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines, crashed shortly after takeoff from Shemya Air Force Base on the Aleutian Islands. Poor weather conditions and limited visibility plagued the remote airfield at the time. The aircraft struck terrain and broke apart, resulting in the deaths of all six occupants. Rescue crews faced challenging conditions and delayed response due to harsh weather and isolation. The accident prompted reforms in flight safety procedures for operations in remote and extreme environments. Alaska Airlines and military authorities reviewed navigation aids and pilot training to prevent similar tragedies. Memorials in Shemya honor the victims and mark the need for continual aviation safety improvements in challenging regions.
Alaska Airlines Flight 779
Shemya Air Force Base
Shemya
Alaska
2001day.year
At the conclusion of a fireworks display on Okura Beach in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan, 11 people are killed and more than 120 are injured when a pedestrian footbridge connecting the beach to JR Asagiri Station becomes overcrowded and people leaving the event fall down in a domino effect.
A pedestrian footbridge collapse after a fireworks display in Akashi, Japan, killed 11 people and injured over 120 in July 2001.
On 21 July 2001, a commemorative fireworks festival at Okura Beach in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture drew thousands of spectators eager to watch the display. After the event, an overcrowded temporary footbridge leading to JR Asagiri Station became dangerously congested. As people jostled to exit, a domino effect caused the bridge’s structure to fail, sending dozens of attendees plummeting into the mud below. Eleven individuals lost their lives and more than 120 were injured in the collapse. Emergency responders worked through the night to rescue trapped victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Investigations later attributed the disaster to design flaws and inadequate crowd control measures, leading to stricter safety regulations for public event infrastructure in Japan.
2001
Akashi, Hyōgo
11 people are killed and more than 120 are injured
Asagiri Station