The tragic events of September 11th and the Titanic’s sinking will be forever etched in history as world changing events.

Both tragedies were of unparalleled proportion. The dreams of the media whores in pursuit of one in a million headlines were fulfilled and the nightmares of so many millions came true. Both were modern day Greek tragedies (heroes ready to die saving others, a still calm September morning/a still calm April night, and the tragic deaths of so many). Both the Titanic and the Twin Towers were also microcosms of the world as they were populated by people from all over the world. In 1912, increasingly accessible medium of the printed press carried sensational headlines that captivated people all over the world. In 2001, the on the spot live coverage by TV news equally captivated and horrified the wider world. Both were events that people could relate to. The sinking of the Titanic was the sinking of a symbol of an age while the attacks of September 11th marked a new and dangerous period in world history.

Both tragedies came at a time in world history when man felt it could control all that the world could possibly throw at it. The Titanic symbolized the confidence of an industrial age and sadly the false belief that man could overcome Mother Nature. Bigger was better they thought and they were probably right. The belief that bigger was safer and ‘unsinkable’ was wrong. The White Star Line and the other Ismay-ites who held the coffers ordered a record breaking maiden voyage across the Atlantic to swell their wallets and their already fattened egos and business interests. The souls of those on board the Titanic were a secondary thought hence the inadequate number of lifeboats on board. Why would they need those extra lifeboats cluttering the decks when the ship was ’unsinkable’! Mother Nature in the shape of an iceberg smashed these beliefs and shook the world to the extent that inquiries were called for, maritime safety was overhauled, and the industrial age petered out within years. The confidence of the industrial age sank with 50,000 tonnes of broken dreams and twisted ambition.

The Twin Towers and the Pentagon symbolized a world leader in military and economic terms and the arrogance of a nation that thought it was untouchable. Those who built the Twin Towers had never taken into account that such a tragedy could happen. Again, the pursuit of dollar signs overrode the well-being of the poor souls who occupied the buildings. American society also firmly believed that it was untouchable. Intelligence agencies were aware of possible attacks on the twin towers yet did not act on the information they received. The idea of closing down the economic heart of America was unthinkable. The reality of almost three thousand lives lost was the price that was paid. Like the story of the Titanic, man’s belief that he could control his own destiny was smashed.

The Titanic and 9/11 tragedies are etched in history due to the massive tragic loss of life. Another explanation for their unquestionable place in the history books is because both marked a loss of innocence and a sudden realisation that mankind is vulnerable, fragile and self-destructing.