There are moments in history when everything changes in an instant. On the morning of July 24, 1915, as the Eastland Disaster unfolded along the Chicago River, chaos came quickly. A ship tipped. Crowds surged. Water rushed in where it should not have been. And within minutes, hundreds of lives were in peril. But as […]
There is something uniquely powerful about the bond between siblings. It is often the longest relationship of a lifetime. Built on shared childhoods, quiet understandings, and a sense of belonging that needs no explanation. Each April, National Siblings Day invites us to celebrate those connections. For the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, it is also a […]
There is something timeless about Opening Day. Fresh grass. Clean uniforms. The crack of a bat echoing through a hopeful crowd. It is a ritual that signals spring, renewal, and community. But in the summer of 1915, Chicago baseball paused. When the SS Eastland capsized in the Chicago River on July 24, 1915, the shock […]
National Technology Day celebrates innovation and the tools that shape how we learn, connect, and preserve knowledge. For the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, technology plays a vital role in ensuring that the stories of those affected by the 1915 tragedy are not lost to time. More than a century has passed since the Eastland capsized […]
The Eastland Disaster Historical Society began with a simple but powerful belief. The stories of the people affected by the 1915 disaster deserved to be preserved, protected, and passed forward. For more than a century, the tragedy left deep marks on families across Chicago and throughout the country. Many of those families quietly carried their […]
Each year, National Adoption Day shines a light on the love, stability, and new beginnings created when families open their hearts and homes to children in need. For the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, this day also serves as a poignant reminder of the hundreds of children forever changed by the tragedy on the Chicago River […]
October is Family History Month — a time to celebrate the stories that connect us, the memories that ground us, and the generations whose courage, love, and perseverance shape who we are today. For the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, it is also a moment to reflect on the thousands of families whose lives were forever […]
Each October, Polish American Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the strength, faith, and resilience of Polish immigrants who helped shape Chicago and the nation. For the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, it is also a time to remember and honor the many Polish American families who were forever changed by one of Chicago’s darkest […]
Chicago, Illinois -- This past Sunday, July 24, 2022, the Eastland Disaster Historical Society hosted the 107th anniversary commemoration of the Eastland Disaster. We were honored to have the participation of the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago this year. Commander Timothy S. Tilghman gave the Coast Guard's remarks, and later the USCG […]
Chicago, Illinois -- In addition to the 103rd Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony on Sunday, July 22nd, there are two additional events this weekend commemorating the Eastland Disaster. On Friday, July 20th, Patricia Sutton is presenting her book, Capsized! The Forgotten Story of the S.S. Eastland Disaster, at the Chicago Maritime Museum. After the presentation, participants are invited to view CMM’s […]
