What tragedy took place on April 15, 1912?

The sinking of the Titanic took place on April 15, 1912.

RMS Titanic was four days into its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City when it struck an iceberg late on April 14 in the North Atlantic. The ship sank in the early morning hours of April 15, at about 2:20 a.m. ship’s time.

More than 2,200 passengers and crew were aboard, and approximately 1,500 people died, although historical estimates vary. The ship carried only 20 lifeboats, enough for roughly 1,178 people, which was far fewer than everyone on board. The rescue ship Carpathia arrived later on April 15 and saved more than 700 survivors.

A common mix-up is saying Titanic sank on April 14, the date of the collision. The iceberg was struck on the night of April 14, but the vessel’s final sinking occurred after midnight on April 15. The disaster led to major changes in maritime safety rules, including requirements associated with the later SOLAS convention.