Annual Commemorations

National Technology Day: How Digital History Keeps the Eastland Stories Alive

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 Story of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society: Preserving History, Honoring Families, Connecting Generations

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 […]

National Adoption Day: Remembering the Children Left Behind by the Eastland Disaster

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 […]

Honoring Family History Month: Remembering the Families of the Eastland Disaster

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 […]

Honoring Polish American Heritage Month: Remembering the Polish Victims, Survivors and Families of the Eastland Disaster

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 […]

107th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

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 […]

103RD ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND EVENTS

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 […]

103RD ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION CEREMONY

Chicago, Illinois -- For the 19th consecutive summer, the Eastland Disaster Historical Society will host the anniversary commemoration for Chicago's greatest loss-of-life tragedy on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. We hope you will join us at the Chicago Riverwalk for this year’s commemoration ceremony, and then follow with us over to Barbara's Bookstore to […]

102ND ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION CEREMONY

Chicago, Illinois -- For the 18th consecutive summer, the Eastland Disaster Historical Society will host the anniversary commemoration for Chicago’s greatest loss-of-life tragedy on Sunday, July 23, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We hope that you will join us at the Chicago Riverwalk for this year’s commemoration ceremony. Whether you have joined us […]

"STREETWISE" LISTS 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION IN TOP 10 EVENTS OF 2015

Chicago, Illinois -- Following on the heels of yesterday's announcement regarding the Renegade Theater's (Duluth, MN) award for Eastland: A New Musical, EDHS is excited to announce a second award: The Eastland Disaster 100th Anniversary Commemoration Weekend was named by Streetwise Magazine as one of its Top 10 Events in Chicago during 2015. Ted Wachholz, EDHS executive director and chief […]