Book for Jul. 2026 and after—download 2026 calendar. 

On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland capsized on the Chicago River, killing more than 800 passengers before it ever left the shore. This shipwreck ranks as one of the worst maritime disasters in American history—and one of Chicago’s deadliest catastrophes.

Drawing on contemporary newsreels, oral histories, documentary film, and narrative television, this talk examines the SS Eastland from a cinematic perspective, tracing how moving images captured, interpreted, and preserved the disaster.

In this program, you will:

• Watch recently unearthed films depicting the Eastland’s aftermath

• Learn why several states banned Eastland footage in 1915

• Hear from survivors and their families through recorded testimony

• See how the tragedy has been represented across film and television

Together, we’ll explore how film and TV have shaped public memory of this oft-forgotten tragedy—and why those images still matter.

NOTE: Due to the subject matter and the graphic nature of some newsreels, this talk may not be suitable for children.