The Great Flood of 1913

Geoff Williams, author of “Washed Away,” on the “most widespread flood in American history.”

The Great Flood of 1913 On March 23, 1913, a series of tornadoes struck the American Midwest. But the twisters were a mere prelude to a greater disaster, one caused by torrential rains. Read More

 

Trash Dance

Sanitation workers take center stage as a modern dance ensemble, inspire audiences.

Trash Dance Trash Dance, a critically-acclaimed “trash truck ballet,” illustrates how workers in unenviable low-income jobs have something more to offer — given the opportunity to rise above the drudgery of their daily routines. Read More

 

Leonardo and the Last Supper

Leonardo and the Last Supper

Until the age of forty-three, Leonardo da Vinci was something of an underachiever. Then he began work on The Last Supper.

At the time of da Vinci’s death in 1519 the Mona Lisa and most of his other paintings were unknown to the world at large — and Leonardo considered himself to have been a failure. Read More

The Mill River Flood, Disaster

The Mill River Flood, Disaster

In 1874 a tragic industrial disaster wiped out Skinnerville, Massachusetts — and set the stage for one of the greatest business comeback stories in American history.

Silk industry magnate William Skinner lost everything when an inland tidal wave destroyed the company village that bore his name. In “American Phoenix,” author Sarah S. Kilborne recounts the disaster, and how it propelled Skinner to his greatest success. Read More

This Day in Failure

May 19th

2009: The June 2009 issue of Los Angeles magazine hits the streets with a picture of mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the cover, along with a cover line that proclaims: “Failure: So much promise, so much disappointment. An open letter to Antonio Villaraigosa from Ed Leibovitz.”

2003: “First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren’t necessarily...

More from May 19

Another day in Failure.  



Failure Analysis

The 13th bank failure of 2013 occurred on May 14. More

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Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?

- George W. Bush, January 11, 2000