The Earthquake that Shook San Francisco
Early morning on April 18, 1906, the golden city of San Francisco experienced an earthquake unlike any other. This year marks the 117th anniversary of the quake dubbed the deadliest earthquake in the history of the United States. At a magnitude of 7.8 for one minute, this disaster is not to be forgotten. That’s why the 2006 centennial was a momentous event, and some of our team worked on it!
The San Francisco Earthquake Centennial was held in 2006 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and was a series of events and commemorations including lectures, exhibits, and public programs. The centennial was an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the earthquake and its impact on the city of San Francisco and the wider world, and many of these events focused on the history of the earthquake and the efforts to rebuild the city in its aftermath. Some events highlighted the latest research on earthquakes and earthquake preparedness.
One of the most notable events of the centennial was the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 Symposium, which was held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. The symposium brought together experts in earthquake science, history, and emergency management to discuss the lessons learned from the 1906 earthquake and how they can be applied to modern earthquake preparedness.
The centennial was also marked by a range of public art projects, including the creation of a permanent installation at the San Francisco Public Library that commemorated the earthquake and its impact on the city.
The guests of the 1906 earthquake centennial included a range of experts, scholars, and public figures from around the world. Some of the notable guests included:
Robert Siegel: The former host of NPR's, All Things Considered, moderated a panel discussion on the lessons learned from the 1906 earthquake and their relevance to modern-day earthquake preparedness.
Michael Krasny: The host of KQED's Forum moderated a panel discussion on the impact of the earthquake on San Francisco's cultural and artistic communities.
Simon Winchester: The author of “A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906” gave a keynote speech on the history and legacy of the earthquake.
Mayor Gavin Newsom: The mayor of San Francisco at the time (now the California State Governor), Newsom spoke at several events throughout the centennial, highlighting the city's efforts to prepare for future earthquakes.
Earthquake experts: The centennial also featured a range of earthquake experts from around the world, including seismologists, engineers, and emergency management officials.
The guests of the 1906 earthquake centennial brought a wide range of perspectives and expertise to the events and helped to highlight the ongoing importance of earthquake preparedness and research.
The 1906 earthquake centennial also featured survivors of the earthquake who shared their stories and experiences with attendees. Some of the notable survivors who attended the centennial included:
Ruth Newman: Newman was 104 years old at the time of the centennial and was one of the few surviving eyewitnesses of the earthquake. She recounted her experiences of the earthquake and the aftermath, including being trapped in her home for several days due to the fires that broke out in the city.
George Quilici: Quilici was 107 years old at the time of the centennial and was also a survivor of the earthquake. He shared his memories of the disaster and the efforts to rebuild the city in its aftermath.
William Del Monte: Del Monte was 104 years old at the time of the centennial and was a survivor of the earthquake and subsequent fires. He shared his experiences of the disaster and how it shaped his life. The last known survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, William passed away in 2016 at the age of 109.
Herbert Hamrol: Hamrol was 102 years old at the time of the centennial and was a survivor of the earthquake who later became a prominent earthquake engineer. He spoke at several events throughout the centennial and shared his insights into earthquake engineering and preparedness.
The survivors who attended the 1906 earthquake centennial provided important firsthand accounts of the disaster and its aftermath and helped to ensure that the memory of the earthquake and its impact on San Francisco is preserved for future generations.
Overall, the San Francisco Earthquake Centennial was an important moment for reflection and remembrance, and it highlighted the ongoing importance of earthquake preparedness and research in the face of natural disasters.
