Sunday was the 1ooth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.. It was a dreadful accident that amany think could have been prevented.  1500 people lost their lives when she sank.  People from all walks of life; the very wealthy and  famous, to poor immigrants going to America for a new start.  It was billed as a ship that was unsinkable, but guess what? It sank!

The news  coverage has been continuous  since the first of April.  I have seen at least two new documentaries on the event and I watched a new version of the movie last night on television.  They have even released a new 3D movie that is currently playing in local theatres.  It has been the topic of many talk shows and the conversation in many households.  They even held a memorial service in New York Harbor and South Hampton, England to remember the accident.  So what is our fascination with this terrible event?

It was heartbreaking to watch the re-enactment of these scenes.  People screaming and being torn from the arms of their loved ones, so the women and children could be saved.  The band played as the huge ship went under the frigid water.  Many people jumped  off as the Titanic made her final plunge.  The water was extremely cold, so many froze to death as they made their final attempt to live.

Even knowing all the tragedy it brought, this accident was the result of the choices of many men and women.  There were shortcuts on the building of the Titanic.  Decisions to not carry enough lifeboats, choices to speed through water filled with icebergs.  And each individual was responsible for their own decision to go on  the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

100 years later we are still intrigued by the stories some of triumph, but mostly tragedy.  What can we learn from this?