Survivors of the 1947 Texas City Disaster gather at the Phoenix Fountain in front of the Doyle Convention Center for the Texas City Disaster survivors reunion photo. The reunion marks the 65th anniversary of the explosion. Seated in the front are survivors who were students at Booker T. Washington School, which was the city's African American school. An empty chair at front row center was set aside for Thelma Dyess, who died last year at age 100. Dyess had been the oldest living survivor of the disaster and each year sat in the front center seat. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

The Texas City Disaster and little Linda Bill Cherry shares his memories of the Texas City Disaster. April 17, 2012 Booker T. Washington alumni remember disaster TEXAS CITY — As horrible as disasters are, they are at times a unifying force — even in the face of racial segregation. April 16, 2012 Remembering the Texas City Disaster Today, Texas City residents will mark the 65th anniversary of the Texas City Disaster with a memorial for those who died April 16, 1947. April 16, 2012 A child's memories of the TC Disaster Laura Salazar writes about her memories of the day the Grandcamp exploded, setting off the worst industrial accident in American history. April 16, 2012 List of known dead, missing in Texas City Disaster These are the known dead and missing from the Texas City Disaster. April 16, 2012 A man used to surviving tragedies David Robinson was on the deck of the Wilson B. Keene, watching the fire on the Grandcamp, on April 16, 1947, in Texas City. April 15, 2012 Texas City Disaster survivors remember The Daily News' annual photograph of the survivors of the Texas City Disaster is both a reunion and a time to share memories. April 01, 2012 New Texas City Museum surprises many The new Texas City Museum impressed Cathy Gillentine and she wants everyone to tour the museum to learn more about the history of Texas City. August 22, 2011 Memorial observes 64th anniversary of tragedy TEXAS CITY ­— A memorial was held Saturday to observe the 64th anniversary of the Texas City Disaster. April 17, 2011 A city that survived disaster Today is the anniversary of the Texas City Disaster. The largest industrial disaster in the nation’s history happened April 16, 1947. April 16, 2011 Stories of Texas City disaster live on While the number of survivors of the 1947 disaster dwindles, their stories of helping neighbors are being passed on. April 16, 2010 Many lives lost on that dreadful day Texas City Disaster survivor Donald Wesley shares his story of the day of the tragedy. April 16, 2010 Man saw first sparks of Texas City Disaster TEXAS CITY — Longshoreman Julio Luna Jr. was among the first to notice flames that ignited the explosions of the Texas City Disaster, killing hundreds. April 16, 2010 Memories of Texas City Disaster live on TEXAS CITY — Danny Ayala was 8 when he went down to the docks to watch the orange and black smoke filling the skyline. April 16, 2009 Historic date for Texas City, nation We hope you’ll set aside a moment today to remember those lost in the Texas City Disaster of 1947, plus the survivors and their families. April 16, 2009 Author publishes book on childhood disaster TEXAS CITY — Allan Pevoto's book “Heroes and Survivors: Personal experiences of the Texas City Disaster” chronicles the 1947 disaster and its aftermath. March 20, 2009 Family shares Texas City Disaster memories TEXAS CITY — Robert Gallaway Jr. relates his family's experience during the Texas City Disaster 61 years ago as survivors gather for a commemorative photo. April 16, 2008 Survivors mark 60th anniversary of 1947 disaster TEXAS CITY — More than 200 people attended a service for the 60th anniversary of the Texas City Disaster. April 17, 2007 'I knew something bad had happened' TEXAS CITY — Even at 92, Mattie Lou Westmorland-Higgs said the memories of April 16, 1947, would never fade. April 16, 2007 'No way anyone lived through all of that' TEXAS CITY — 60 years later, disaster survivor Fletcher Harris recalls how the Coast Guard Cutter Iris helped in the fatal blasts. April 12, 2007 Former Barrio residents plan community reunion TEXAS CITY — The barrio never leaves the hearts and minds of those who grew up in the east Texas City community. April 20, 2006 Survivor had bird's-eye view of 1947 blast Even as Myron and Mary Louise Perry near 62 years or marriage, the memories of April 16, 1947, are still vivid. April 16, 2006 Years later, memory of disaster surfaces TEXAS CITY — For years, Lydia Biegert suppressed memories of the Texas City Disaster. She revisited the memory as keynote speaker at a memorial service. April 07, 2006 Disaster remembered: 'It changed everything' TEXAS CITY — Ruth Lacquement was 8 years old on April 16, 1947, but she’ll never forget the day “black rain” fell from the sky. April 16, 2005 Texas City pauses to remember Laura Baumgartner gets chills when the firefighter bell tolls after her grandfather’s name is called. He died fighting the blaze aboard the Grandcamp. April 17, 2004 Texas City survivor sets up scholarship GALVESTON — Eight-year-old Harry Kelso Jr. was taking a spelling test in his Texas City classroom the morning of April 16, 1947. January 22, 2004

Videos and Features Video interviews and more Video: Texas City Disaster 65th anniversary Video: Booker T. Washington alumni recall 1947 disaster Video: The man who found the Grandcamp fire Video: Jewel Turner recalls the explosions Video: Survivor Weldon Hall tells his story Photographs Texas City Disaster images April 17, 1947 Front Page Enlarge 1947 Front Page Read the entire 1947 edition at the Newspaper Archive Related Sites Texas City Disaster Online Exhibition History of the Texas City Disaster Firefighters Union Local 1259 Wikipedia