April 15, 2012, marks the hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
The R.M.S. Titanic, an ocean liner commissioned in England in 1910, was one of the most luxurious, state-of-the-art ships of its day. At nearly 269 meters (882 feet) long, the ship was thought to be unsinkable.
However, on April 15, 1912, the unthinkable happened. During the ship's maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, New York, the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada and sank, tragically taking the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. It was, and remains, one of the greatest nautical disasters in history.
The Titanic lay undiscovered at the bottom of the ocean for another 73 years, until oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Robert Ballard, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, co-discovered it in 1985. Since then, there have been many expeditions to see the Titanic, some for scavenging, others for research. Some expeditions are conducted by people who simply continue to be fascinated by the ship and its icy fate. The story of the Titanic continues to captivate people, inspiring films, clubs, museums, websites, and historic reenactments.
- The ocean current that pushed the iceberg into the path of the Titanic is the Labrador Current.
- There are 150 victims of the Titanic buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, the largest number anywhere in the world.
- After the Titanic sank, the International Ice Patrol was created to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic.
- The Titanic had two sister ships, the Olympic and the Britannic.
remembrance of a past event, usually recognized on the day the event happened every year.
to hold the attention of.
to formally order or give permission to work.
terrible and damaging event.
journey with a specific purpose, such as exploration.
pre-eminent explorers and scientists collaborating with the National Geographic Society to make groundbreaking discoveries that generate critical scientific information, conservation-related initiatives and compelling stories.
to cause an interest in.
rich or self-indulgent.
having to do with oceans and sailing or navigation.
large ship used to transport people or goods to and from ocean ports on established routes, or lines.
person who studies the ocean.
luxury cruise ship that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912.
long journey or trip.
Articles & Profiles
- National Geographic News: New Titanic Pictures Mark 25th Anniversary of Discovery
- National Geographic Explorers: Robert Ballard, Ocean Explorer
- National Geographic Magazine: Titanic Revisited
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