Crimes and Disasters

Crises in American history, from the smallpox epidemic to the attacks on 9/11, have transformed lives and shaped society. Learn about some of the most catastrophic moments in American history with this collection.

The sun rises behind the 1900 Storm Memorial in Galveston, Texas

1900 Galveston Hurricane: History, Damage, Impact

World's Worst Tsunamis

The World's 5 Deadliest Tornadoes

A forest fire rages in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

World's Worst Wildfires

Illustration of the Astor Place Riot of 1849

The Astor Place Riot of 1849

Train in Coal Mine

The Worlds Worst Mining Disasters

remnants of Yungay's cathedral landslide

World's Worst Avalanches

Mount Tambora

The Year Without a Summer Was a Bizarre Weather Disaster in 1816

Illustration of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Preparing to Duel

Duel Between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr

A man sitting in a demolished office

Top 10 Deadliest U.S. Natural Disasters

John Dillinger

Notorious Bank Robbers in History

Aerial view of the caldera of Mt Tambora at the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia

Mount Tambora Was the Largest Volcanic Eruption of 19th Century

Cholera victim with bluish skin in early medical textbook.

The Cholera Epidemic of 1832

Illustration of the death of Helen Jewett

Murder of Helen Jewett, Media Sensation of 1836

The Great Blizzard as depicted on the cover of an illustrated magazine in March 1888.

The Great Blizzard of 1888

Print of New York City's Great Fire of 1835

New York's Great Fire of 1835

Vintage depiction of the sinking of SS Arctic

The Sinking of the Steamship Arctic

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