The Thanksgiving Day Disaster

Long, long ago, on Thanksgiving Day in 1900, people in San Francisco were super excited for a big football game! It was between two teams, the California Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal. But some people didn't want to pay for a ticket, so they climbed onto the roof of a nearby factory to watch for free. It was like trying to peek into a party without an invitation!

That factory roof was not built for so many people! It was like trying to fit way too many toys into a small box. Suddenly, with a loud CRASH, the roof broke! It was a very scary moment. Many people fell down, and sadly, some even fell onto a hot furnace below. It was a terrible accident that no one expected.

This sad accident caused a lot of hurt. Twenty-three people lost their lives, and over 100 more were injured. That's more people than are in many classrooms! It was a very, very sad Thanksgiving for many families. This disaster is still remembered as the worst accident ever at a sports game in the United States.

Even though it was a sad event, it helps us remember to be safe. It teaches us that even fun things can have dangers if we are not careful. We remember this day to make sure that sporting events are safe for everyone who wants to watch and cheer for their favorite teams. Safety is super important!