What Happened On May 12th?

May 12th, 2008 began like any other day in China.

However, in the early afternoon, the unexpected happened.

At precisely 2:28 pm local time, a monstrous earthquake, registering a 7.9 magnitude, destroyed the Sichuan province and devastated the people.

The Disaster

Sichuan province was known for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and growing economic development. More specifically, major cities within Sichuan like Chengdu were known for their innovation and environmental protection efforts.

So, when this earthquake dismantled such an impressive city, it was all the more devastating.

Now, the scale of the disaster was shocking to say the least. Officials grappled with a scary reality…

• An estimated 69,000 people perished.
• Another 18,000 vanished under the rubble, presumed dead.
• 4.8 million were left homeless.

Besides the human loss, historic landmarks and towns were reduced to rubble, while roads were sliced in half.

Why So Many Schools Collapsed

More so, a particularly tragic aspect of the earthquake involved the widespread collapse of poorly constructed schools. 

In total, over 7,000 classrooms were destroyed, leaving an estimated 5,300 students dead. 

This exposed the limitations of the “duck and cover” earthquake safety protocol, which wasn’t effective for buildings that might crumble. 

Not only that, but reports revealed that many schools, built with substandard materials and lax construction practices, crumbled during the quake. On the other hand, nearby and sturdier buildings remained intact. 

After being exposed, serious questions were raised about corruption and inadequate safety standards in public infrastructure, particularly in schools children.

In response, China implemented stricter building codes for schools and revised earthquake safety drills.

The Courage Of Lin Hao

During the earthquake, a 9 year-old boy, Lin Hao, was trapped under the rubble of his school. Despite losing 20 out of his 30 classmates, Hao remained strong.

While trying to escape through a corridor, the grounds collapsed, trapping Hao and two of his classmates.

However, Hao escaped, and he carried one of his classmates, who was unconscious, back to safety. After that, he came back to save his other classmate (also unconscious) who was stuck under the rubble.

As a child, he could have easily ran away to save himself. Instead, he showed character and saved the lives of his friends.

Two months later, Lin Hao was able to walk alongside superstar Yao Ming at the 2008 Olympics.

200,000 Landslides

The earthquake triggered a cascade of secondary disasters. Because Sichuan was in a mountainous terrain, it was particularly susceptible to landslides.

Estimates suggested that over 200,000 occurred. These landslides buried entire villages and blocked vital transportation routes, hampering rescue efforts.

The Threat Of Lake Tangjiashan

Besides landslides, the earthquake created 257 river dams. In particular, the largest of these dams blocked the flow of the Tangjiashan River, creating a dangerous natural dam.

The resulting lake threatened to overflow, potentially inundating downstream communities and posing a threat to 1.3 million people. Thankfully, Chinese engineers undertook a daring operation and safely released water from the lake. In turn, this ultimately prevented a further catastrophe.

$456.9 Million In External Donations

In the aftermath of the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the World Bank acted swiftly to support China’s recovery efforts. 

They provided an initial grant of $1.5 million through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). 

These funds were used for immediate needs like emergency tents and supported technical assistance for national reconstruction planning.

The World Bank also mobilized a team of international experts with experience in post-earthquake reconstruction, who collaborated with Chinese counterparts to develop a comprehensive plan for rebuilding Sichuan. 

Additionally, the World Bank offered a separate grant to assess potential chemical contamination from damaged industries affected by the earthquake.

Externally, global compassion led to massive financial support. Donations poured in from individuals, corporations, and governments around the world. Led by Germany ($31,000,000), Macau ($15,300,00), and Japan ($9,600,000), total contributions estimated to be around $456.9 million U.S. dollars.

Neighboring countries were first to provide resources for survivors, including Laos, Singapore, and South Korea.

China & Deadly Earthquakes 

Because of the mountainous terrain, China has a long and unfortunate history of natural disasters. However, the deadliest of these occurred centuries ago, on January 23rd, 1556, in the Wei River Valley.

Now this tremor was so powerful that it completely eliminated a civilization. Geologists estimated that the Wei River Valley earthquake clocked in at an 8.0 magnitude, strong enough to alter the course of rivers and trigger landslides miles away. 

Even though the magnitudes of both earthquakes were almost identical, the casualty numbers were massively different. With almost ten times as many casualties as the Sichuan earthquake, the death toll in 1556 exceeded 830,000 people. 

What Do You Think?

Clearly, this day is life-changing for millions of people in China.

I still pray for survivors, who still deal with the pain of losing their loved ones and their homes.

Thank you, see you in the next.

What Happened On May 10th?

May 10th, 1994 was one of the most historical days in South Africa ever. A nation, scarred by centuries of racial division, was on the precipice of a monumental change. After a grueling struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation that controlled the country for over 300 years, South Africa was finally ready for a new era. So, on this day, the weight of history settled on the shoulders of one man – Nelson Mandela.

Mandela wasn’t your typical politician. Nicknamed “Madiba” by his admirers, he had spent 27 years imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activism. Yet, his spirit persisted. As he famously emerged from prison with a gentle smile, Mandela became a beacon of hope for millions.

The Day Of The Ceremony

Held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the inauguration ceremony was filled with over 100,000 people, faces both black and white. World leaders watched as Mandela, clad in a crisp suit, took the oath of office. Firmly, he declared, “Today marks the culmination of our struggle.”

Negotiations between the white minority government and the black majority, led by Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC), was fraught with tension. Yet, Mandela’s persistent commitment to peace and forgiveness allowed for a peaceful transition of power.

The ceremony itself celebrated unity. Former state president F.W. de Klerk, who had dismantled apartheid, stood alongside Mandela. Choirs sang joyous songs, which opposed the years of silence imposed by apartheid. Mandela, ever the pragmatist, even invited his prison guard to the ceremony, a gesture that spoke volumes about his belief in forgiveness.

How He Inspired The World

Mandela’s inauguration resonated globally, proving that even the deepest wounds of injustice can heal, and that forgiveness can be the bedrock of a new beginning. As racial injustice was prominent issue in America during this time, Mandela’s rise to power inspired many social justice advocates in the states. Consequently, the violence that erupted from the beating of Rodney King in 1991 ceased after Mandela’s peace movement.

But What Inspired Mandela?

Long before the name “Madiba” became his nickname, Nelson Mandela was a firebrand lawyer and activist. Born into the Thembu royal family in 1918, his destiny seemed far more promising than prison cells and political struggle. But the young Mandela, seeing the injustices of apartheid firsthand, was not able to stay silent.

He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944, a party dedicated to dismantling the racist regime. Apartheid, meaning “apartness” in Afrikaans, had segregated South Africa along racial lines since 1948. 

Despite being the overwhelming majority, black people were denied basic rights, forced into inferior living conditions, and excluded from political participation. So, Mandela, a charismatic leader with a talent for public speaking, quickly rose through the ranks of the ANC.

Nevertheless, his peaceful protests and legal challenges against apartheid laws were not met well with the white government. In 1961, after the peaceful Sharpeville massacre where police opened fire on unarmed protestors, the ANC was outlawed. Mandela realized the need for a more forceful approach and co-founded the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the ANC’s armed wing.

Mandela’s Imprisonment

Mandela’s capture in 1962 hurt the anti-apartheid movement, but it did not extinguish the flame of resistance. His trial, televised around the world, became a platform for him to denounce apartheid.

In his famous closing statement, he declared, “I have fought for an ideal for which I hope to live and to see realized. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Such commitment to freedom resonated with millions across the globe, making him a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement.

Mandela’s years in prison brutally tested his spirit. Confined to a tiny cell on Robben Island, isolated from his family and comrades, he endured harsh conditions and solitary confinement. Yet, after all that time, he never abandoned his vision of a united South Africa. He organized hunger strikes with fellow prisoners, smuggled in educational materials, and even started a makeshift garden, using a smuggled avocado pit as a symbol of hope.

His Release

His release in 1990, after international pressure and a shift in South African politics, changed everything. Stepping back into the world with reconciliation and forgiveness, Mandela stunned everyone. In all, his transition from a fiery revolutionary to a peacemaker, really tested the immense power of his spirit.

Less than two years later, president F.W. de Klerk convinced white South Africans to end apartheid, allowing the country for a re-election in 1994.

Mandela’s life as a prisoner to president reflects resilience, sacrifice, and ultimately, triumph! May 10th, 1994, wasn’t just the culmination of his personal struggle; it was the victory of a nation that dared to dream of a future free from racism.

What Did You Learn?

Mandela’s life story is truly magnificent, and he has inspired his country along with millions around the globe.

So, what has he taught you?

Thank you! See you in the next!

What Happened On May 9th?

Well, May 9th, 2012 was supposed to be a day of national pride in Russia. Known as Victory Day, the country usually commemorated the country’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9th. 

Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, however, bad news was spreading. A brand-new Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100), a symbol of Russia’s resurgent aviation industry, had set out, but crashed.

Why The Airline Was A Big Deal

This regional jet, was the first civilian airliner entirely designed and built in Russia since the beginning of the Soviet Union in 1922. Engineers poured nearly 20 years of work and innovation into the SSJ-100, aiming to compete with established Western aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. When completed, the plane boasted advanced technology and fuel efficiency, generating excitement within the aviation community.

The SSJ-100 took off from Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Indonesia. Intended to be a tour for potential Asian buyers, the plane carried representatives from various Indonesian airlines along with Sukhoi personnel. Now, the flight path was planned to be a scenic loop around Mount Salak, a majestic peak nestled near Jakarta.

How It Happened

However, what transpired next still is unresolved, and we are still asking questions. So, shortly after takeoff, the brand-new jetliner veered off course and inexplicably began a descent. Despite frantic attempts by the pilots to regain control, the SSJ-100 slammed into the densely forested slopes of Mount Salak at a high speed. The impact left no survivors, claiming the lives of all 37 passengers and eight crew members on board.

Immediately, the news of the crash was heard throughout Russia and around the world. What seemed like a celebratory day for the nation of Russia, quickly turned into a national mourning for the lost lives.

Not only that, but the 20 years of hard work put into the SSJ-100 all went to waste. Thus, investigations were launched immediately, as rescuers combed through the wreckage and analyzed flight data to uncover the cause of the tragedy.

The aftermath of the crash cast a long shadow over the SSJ-100 program for years to come. Safety concerns arose, and the airlines industry in Russia was under fire for a long period of time. While the Sukhoi Superjet has continued in production, the devastation of May 9th, 2012 reminds us of the importance of safety in aviation.

What Was The Cause?

The official accident report, released two years after the tragedy, attributed the primary cause of the crash to pilot error. Investigators pointed out that the pilots deviated from the planned flight path and descended below the safe minimum altitude for the area. Additionally, there were concerns raised about the crew’s familiarity with the aircraft’s cockpit layout and misinterpretations of certain instruments.

However, the findings sparked debate within the aviation community. Many argued that the SSJ-100 itself might have played a role in the accident. Questions arose regarding potential malfunctioning of onboard systems or inadequate pilot training specific to the aircraft. The crash highlighted the immense pressure on pilots during demonstration flights, where they might be eager to showcase the plane’s capabilities while pushing boundaries.

How They Recovered

Obviously, the aftermath of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 tragedy greatly impacted Russia’s aviation industry, in a negative way. Thus, the program faced a steep decline in orders, and the reputation of the aircraft was absolutely tarnished. 

However, the manufacturer, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, implemented several changes. His changes included enhanced pilot training programs specifically tailored to the SSJ-100 along with modifications to cockpit instrumentation, for improved clarity. Moreover, the company also implemented a renewed focus on safety protocols throughout the design, production, and operation of the aircraft itself.

While the SSJ-100 program has seen some recovery, it has not reached the levels of success initially envisioned. Such a tragedy highlights the importance of prioritizing safety and pilot training in the aviation industry, whether it’s in Russia or America. 

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash has rebranded the day of May 9th in Russia. While technological advancements are inevitable, pilot training and clear communication must adapt to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. In all, this story acts as a call to action for constant vigilance and improvement within the aviation industry. 

What Did You Learn?

A similar story of pilot error unfolded in the crash of Flight 587 in New York on November 12th, 2001. 

This passenger plane was destined for the Dominican Republic with 265 innocent people onboard, but all lost their lives. 

Similar to the event that happened over 10 years later, the New York investigation revealed that the pilot’s navigational errors major contributed to the crash.

So, what are your takeaways from this?

Obviously it’s a sad day to look back on, but there are always opportunities to learn from past mistakes, so history won’t repeat itself.

Thank you, see you in the next.