Titanic Memorials

On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail for its maiden voyage from Southampton, England (United Kingdom) to New York City. It was hailed as the largest and most luxurious ship ever built. Its engineers believed it was so structurally sound as to be “unsinkable.” They were wrong.

The ship sank early April 15, 1912 after hitting an iceberg, which tore a hole in the ship’s hull. At least 1,500 of the 2,200 passengers and crew aboard the ship died. The disaster is still remembered more than 100 years later. Museums and memorials are found in Belfast, Ireland as well as the United States.

Fun Facts

• The Titanic Memorial Lighthouse was built in 1913 in Lower Manhattan as a tribute to those who died on the ship.

  

• Straus Park in New York City was dedicated in 1913 to Ida Straus, wife of U.S. Congressman Isidor Straus. Ida and Isidor had been married for many years and were devoted to each other. When the ship was sinking, they stood near Lifeboat 8, but Isidor refused to get in the boat when women and children were still in need. Ida said that she would go where he went and they stayed together on the ship. Isidor’s body was later recovered, but Ida’s was never found.

  

• Jane Hotel in New York is where crewmembers stayed after they were rescued. The hotel is still open today.

  

• Indian Orchard, Massachusetts is the site of one of the first museum for the Titanic, and opened in 1963. The museum holds the life vest worn by John Jacob Astor, as well as clothing, coins, and letters.

  

• The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution Museum in Washington D.C. holds one of the largest collections of Titanic memorabilia, including life vests and photographs.
• The Molly Brown House in Denver celebrates the life of the “unsinkable” Molly Brown. The museum is actually in Molly Brown’s home.

  

• In Branson, Missouri is a museum and 18-foot model of the ship, as well as cabin replicas.

 

Vocabulary

1. Tribute: to honor
2. Hull: the side of a ship

 

Questions and Answers

Question: Why did so many people die on the Titanic?

Answer: Several reasons. The ship was not equipped with enough life jackets for everyone. Additionally, no one expected or believed that the ship could sink. The ship sank quite quickly and they were unprepared.

 

Learn More

Watch videos about the Titanic.