On April 15, 1912, the ship R.M.S. Titanic hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. The giant ship, said to be “unsinkable,” sank quickly–it disappeared beneath the waves less than three hours after hitting the iceberg. More than 1,500 people died in the disaster, with only 710 survivors. The location of the Titanic was a mystery until National Geographic Explorer Bob Ballard found the wreckage of the iconic ship in 1985.
   
Sunday, April 15 marks the 100th anniversary of the disaster. The National Geographic Museum is commemorating the event with the Titanic: 100 Year Obsession exhibit. The exhibit takes visitors through Titanic‘s history, from the construction of the ship to the latest findings at the wreck site.

Are you interested in the story of Titanic?

Watch the two-night Titanic event on the National Geographic Channel beginning on Sunday, April 8.

See pictures of the Titanic shipwreck on National Geographic.

Get 10 cool facts about the Titanic on National Geographic Kids.

Read Tamar’s review of the National Geographic Reader: Titanic book on the DogEared Book Blog.

Photograph by Emory Kristof, National Geographic