1April, 906 18 at 5 a.m. 13, people in San Francisco, USA were awakened by violent shaking. In an instant, the earth cracked, the tracks twisted, and the fire caused by the earthquake burned for three days and three nights. Known as the worst natural disaster in American history, it killed 3,400 people, reached 7.9 on the Richter scale according to today's standards, and lost more than $654.38+050 billion.

100 years later, on April 18, 2006, thousands of people gathered in the downtown Rota Fountain Square to commemorate this century disaster, because this is the place where earthquake victims released information about finding lost relatives and friends. Among these memorial halls, the most striking are several earthquake survivors, all of whom are over 100 years old.

At 5am, 13, 1 1 earthquake survivors appeared on the stage in the center of the square, and San Francisco Mayor gavin newsom greeted them one by one. Later, newsome, US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco Police Department Chinese Director Fang Yuwen, White and other dignitaries jointly presented wreaths to the earthquake victims. Fang Yuwen presented the Purple Heart Medal to the family members of the only policeman who died in the disaster relief operation.

The 1 1 survivors who participated in the activity were treated like celebrities. They arrived at the scene by several white Lincoln limousines 193 1 and enjoyed a hearty breakfast in the car in advance. After arriving at the scene, many people flocked to ask for autographs and photos. One of them, an old woman in a red sweater and a pink shawl, walked slowly onto the stage, gesturing "victory" as she walked, just like a boxer who had just defeated her opponent. Cheers broke out in the crowd and a young man shouted, "well done, grandma!" " "

10 1 year-old survivor Della Vatour-baccini said, "This is crazy. Like it or not, they come every year. I feel very happy, but it is also a kind of pain. " For people, although these survivors are young and their memories of the earthquake are vague, it is a remarkable thing that they are still alive and participated in the commemorative activities.

Herbert Hanrol (103 year old grocery store clerk)

Memories of the earthquake: "My mother carried me downstairs and ran out of the apartment in the city."

A hundred years of emotion: "It is a very good and great thing to tell others about your experience."

Herbert Hanroll, age 103, is famous in San Francisco because he is the oldest employee in a local grocery store. Hanrol said: "I have been working here for 68 years, working two days a week. I am very happy here because you can't serve more friendly customers. " Han is responsible for replacing the damaged goods in the store and doing something within his power.

However, Hanrohr's fame has increased tenfold, and reporters came to interview him in an endless stream, because people found him to be one of the few survivors of the San Francisco 1906 earthquake. Since he first participated in the commemoration of the anniversary of the earthquake, Hanrol has become a frequent visitor to various commemorative activities. As one of the earthquake survivors, Hanrol is very willing to share his memories with others, and he is always willing to accept those free lunches and warm hospitality. Since the death of his wife 1969, Hanrol has never been married. He said, "Many elderly women who come to the grocery store will come to chat with me and ask me some details of that year. They always smile and leave happily. " The optimistic old man said, "It feels very good and great to tell others about your experience." But all the memories of that year's earthquake are "my mother carried me downstairs" and ran out of the apartment in the city. At that time, the Hanrohr family lived in downtown San Francisco. His father is a grocery store owner and his mother takes care of the children at home. Hanroll remembers that after the earthquake, the family had to pack their bags and prepare to move to relatives in Chicago. But a few days later, the Hanrohr family came back. He said, "My mother doesn't like Chicago. We only stayed for two days and came back. " Hanrol's parents seldom tell their children about the earthquake. He explained, "It may be too painful for them."

/kloc-Today, 0/00 years later, Hanrol said that he and other survivors are very proud to call themselves sons and daughters of San Francisco, a city that has experienced the worst natural disaster in American history. He said: "I think this is a great achievement. San Francisco has stood up from the blow. "

Violette Lyman

Earthquake memory: "The house shook so badly that my uncle fell out of bed."

Centennial feelings:/kloc-I became a celebrity after 0/00 years.

Violette Lyman was only three years old when the earthquake happened. All she remembers is that the house shook so badly that her uncle fell out of bed. The Lyman family was relocated after the earthquake, but many neighbors were not so lucky. She said: "The situation is very bad because people have no place to live, no food and nothing." According to statistics, the 1906 earthquake left 225,000 people homeless, and many people were forced to live in temporary tents for several months. Although the earthquake didn't destroy their house, the Lymans decided to leave San Francisco. Because food is very scarce, Lyman's mother has to wait in line for rations issued by the navy every day. One day, a naval officer noticed that Lyman's mother was wearing a sailor's hat, so he asked her if anyone in her family was a navy. Lyman's mother replied, "Yes". A few days later, with the help of several policemen, the Lyman family moved to Vallejo in western California, where Lyman still lives. Lyman also participated in the celebration of the 0/00th anniversary of the earthquake/KLOC. She smiled and said, "100 years later, I became a celebrity."

109 Chris mortensen is the oldest survivor. When she was in the third grade, she still remembered the chaos in the street and people's panic. Mortensen recalled: "People were busy packing their things, pushing carts or using any tools they could find to move their homes to parks and other safe places."

Norma Noward, "The Product of the Great Earthquake"

Earthquake memory: "At that time, we were all children. Someone asked me, is the situation terrible after the earthquake? " I said,' I don't know.' I didn't even notice that. I only noticed what my father was doing. "

Centennial feelings: "This is my fifth visit to the Fountain Square in Rota, but it is particularly cold today."

Norma Noward is the youngest survivor. Strictly speaking, she didn't experience the earthquake personally, because she was born in190765438+1October 6th. She said that she was "the product of the earthquake" and her parents conceived her the day after the earthquake, because "it was very cold in the tent that day, and mom and dad hugged each other". Despite her advanced age, Ms. Noward insisted on living alone. She said, "Everyone asks the same question, but to be honest, no one really remembers it.

"They told me that the army had set up temporary tents in the park," Noward said. Dad said it was very cold that night and they had to snuggle up to keep warm. Nine months later, I was born in a tent. "Sixty-eight years ago, Norwood bought a house in San Francisco for $5,000. Although there were several earthquakes in San Francisco, Norwood didn't care. Noward also attended the commemoration on June 5, 2008. Because she often participates in activities together, 99-year-old Ms. Norma Noward has become very familiar with Herbert Hanroll. She said, "This is my fifth visit to the Fountain Square in Rota, but it is particularly cold today. A few days ago, they let me kick off at the giant stadium. I asked Hanrol,' Why did they let us throw the ball?' He replied that it was because we were all old. "

The last survivor of the San Francisco earthquake died at the age of 109.

20 16 065438+ 10/1,and 1 1,10 William Delmonte, aged 0/0, in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. He is 1906.