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Bloomingdale Public Library Presents History of the Eastland Disaster February 3

Ted Wachholtz, Chief Historian of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, will share the history and life stories of the Eastland disaster at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3 at Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way. It is the 100 year anniversary of the Eastland disaster.

The SS Eastland was a passenger ship based in Chicago. On July 24, 1915 as it was being cast off its lines on the south bank of the Chicago River between LaSalle and Clark Streets, the Eastland slowly rolled on its side with over 2,500 passengers and crew members on board. A large crowd of spectators watched in horror, as the ship was only a few feet from the wharf and was in only 20 feet of water. More than 800 people died in the accident.

The Eastland was scheduled to take employees of the Western Electric Company on an excursion to Michigan City, Indiana for their fifth annual employee picnic. Months of planning and preparation for the excursion and picnic led up to the Eastland disaster, but the tragedy itself was over in a matter of minutes. Because the Eastland capsized so suddenly, no lifeboats or rafts were launched. Ordinary men and women, many of whom risked their lives, aided in the rescue of survivors and recovery of victims.

The 45-minute program, which is co-sponsored by the Bloomingdale Historical Society, will feature dozens of photographs, a compelling first-hand narrative delivered by descendants of a survivor, a video interview of several survivors, and a brief video account of how George "Papa Bear" Halas arrived too late to board the Eastland (a fortunate bit of fate that guaranteed the future of the Chicago Bears and the National Football League).

"Even though this disaster resulted in the largest death toll of any single event occurring in the continental United States in the twentieth century, very few people are familiar with the story," says Nancy Kendzior, Adult Programmer at Bloomingdale Public Library. "Twenty-one entire families were wiped out. We are fortunate to have the Bloomingdale Historical Society partner with us to share the life stories of those lost 100 years ago." Call Bloomingdale Public Library to register at (630) 924-2730, or register online at www.mybpl.org

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