This week, my friend Doug Phillips is hosting a historic event to commemorate the sinking of the Titanic. Titanic 100 International Centennial Event is a time of celebration, a time of remembrance, a time of story telling and joy. It will be an opportunity for contemplation with the countdown to the sinking of the Titanic, for learning with a host of reenactors, for reliving history with the Titanic museum.

From the official event program: “Though more than 1,500 people died in this international tragedy, the Darwinian notion of the ‘survival of the fittest’ was rejected in favor of the age-old Christian doctrine that the ‘strong sacrifice for the weak.’ No event in modern history has done more to remind the world of this important bedrock of Western culture, as men and boys on board Titanic willingly gave their lives so women and children might live. Titanic 100 is being held to honor this legacy of sacrifice and will feature a wide range of exciting activities for the whole family, including a live play and musical performances at the Lawrence Welk Theatre, an Edwardian Ladies Tea, exclusive tours of the world’s largest Titanic attraction, a special film screening of A Night to Remember, a Gala Banquet and Celebration on board the Showboat Branson Belle, and the opportunity to engage with reenactors who will bring to life the passengers and crew who were on Titanic’s maiden voyage. May we always remember ‘women and children first.’”

Remembering the history of the Titanic is also upon the world stage. Commemorative events will be held in Europe and America, remembering this story that occurred nearly a century ago.

Two days from now, on April 15, 2012, will mark the day that the famed ship – the Titanic – sank. This tower of man’s achievement slipped beneath the icy waters of the northern Atlantic to live on in the imaginations of thousands of people.

The story of the Titanic is one of honor and sacrifice. It is a story of God’s power and man’s pride. It is a story that we must remember. We must know its history, understand its lessons, and communicate these things to our children.

Today, in the year 1912, people were already sailing on the opulent cruise liner.

This was a famed ship. According to TheRecord.com, “The trade magazine Shipbuilder had marvelled at the watertight compartments as early as 1911: ‘The Captain, by simply moving an electric switch, can instantly close the doors throughout and make the vessel practically unsinkable.’” Four days later, during the waning hours of April 14, 1912, the ship hit an iceberg.

Many of us may know the story of the lack of lifeboats, of the rescue by the Carpathia, of the honor of many of the gallant men on board, of the famed cry, “Women and children first,” of the story of the stalwart musicians, and much more. In a little less than three hours after she struck the iceberg, the Titanic was gone.