Earth & climate

1976 Tangshan earthquake

28 July 1976

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a powerful earthquake that struck the industrial city of Tangshan in Hebei province, near Beijing, in the early hours of the morning. It destroyed much of the city and was felt as far away as Beijing and Tianjin. It is one of the deadliest earthquakes in modern history, with an official death toll of more than 240,000, although some estimates are much higher. There had been no reliable prediction of the quake, and the buildings in the city were poorly prepared. The government, during the last months of Mao Zedong's life, declined offers of foreign aid and carried out its own rescue and reconstruction, and the city was rebuilt.

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This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.