Book excerpt: This book will look at the socio-economic conditions which led to the City of Tacoma, Washington, hosting a grand Independence Day celebration at the dawning of the 20th Century. The special events planned during that week attracted guests from every corner of the state. Transportation systems were woefully inadequate for the throng that arrived, setting the stage for an epic disaster. All of those who were involved in the tragedy were ordinary folks looking to celebrate our nation's independence. In a moment, their lives were inexplicably changed.