The Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy under the Big Top
by Michael Skidgell
21 Members (3.50)
On This Page
Description
Through firsthand accounts, interviews with survivors and a gripping collection of vintage photographs, author Michael Skidgell attempts to make sense of one of Hartford's worst tragedies. Almost 7,000 fans eagerly packed into the Ringling Brothers big top on July 6, 1944. With a single careless act, an afternoon at the "Greatest Show on Earth" quickly became one of terror and tragedy as the paraffin-coated circus tent caught fire. Panicked crowds rushed for the few exits, but in minutes, show more the tent collapsed on those still struggling to escape below. A total of 168 lives were lost, many of them children, with many more injured and forever scarred by the events. Hartford and the surrounding communities reeled in the aftermath as investigators searched for the source of the fire and the responsible parties. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Accidents, Disasters, and Tragedies
175 works; 7 members
Author Information
1 Work 21 Members
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy under the Big Top
- Original publication date
- 2014
- Important places
- Hartford, Connecticut, USA
- Important events
- Hartford Circus Fire, 1944
- Dedication
- I would like to dedicate this book to my father, Robert B. Skidgell, born in Hartford Hospital two days after the fire and taken from us many years too soon in 2001.
- First words
- The matinee performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey ("Ringling") show at Hartford's Barbour Street circus grounds on July 6, 1944, was well attended.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The plaque was inscribed, "In loving memory of those who perished on this location fifty years ago, July 6, 1944, and with heartfelt condolences to their survivors."
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Sociology, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 974.6 — History & geography History of North America Northeastern United States (New England and Middle Atlantic states) Connecticut
- LCC
- F104 .H3 .S58 — Local History of the United States, Canada and Latin America United States local history Connecticut
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 21
- Popularity
- 1,236,006
- Rating
- (3.50)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
