That is a good one. Galveston would be Houston, it was the largest city in the state, if that wouldn't have happened and they would have built a sea wall without the encouragement of a disaster of such magnitude. Its the worst natural disaster in the history of the country and ten miles down the road is the site of the worst industrial accident in U.S. history in Texas City. Unbelievable.
One thing I'm surprised no one mentioned although its not really publicized, the United States turned away a boat of Jewish people during World War II, not sure of the exact reasons, possibly to avoid war at the time, but I find this act extremely embarassing. The Bay of Pigs invasion was humiliating as well.
