I am sure many of you remember the couple holding onto each other in their bed as the water came rushing into their cabin in the movie, "Titanic" as the ship was slowly sinking. But, how many of you know that this couple is actually a real couple?
The actual man's name was Isidor Straus. He was born February 6, 1845, and was the first of five children. When the American Civil war started, Isidor signed up to be a Confederate soldier, but was turned down. After the war, he and his father, Lazarus Straus, started a business importing china, porcelain, etc. in New York. His brother, Nathan Straus, persuaded Rowland Hussey Macy to let them open a store in the basement of his "R.H Macy & Co." store.
In 1871, Isidor married Ida Blun. Ida had been born on February 6, 1849 and was the fifth of seventh children. Ida and Isidor had seven children. One, Clarence Elias Straus, died in infancy.
While Isidor served as a U.S. Congressman in 1894 to 1895, the couple faithfully wrote letters to each other every day. In 1896, Nathan and Isidor gained full rights to "R.H. Macy & Co." store.
In the winter of 1911, the couple had spent time together in Europe. When they decided to go back home, they chose the Titanic ship instead of the ship they had originally chose to board because all of the coal was going to the Titanic.
On April 14, 1912, the night the Titanic was sinking, Isidor was offered a spot on one of the lifeboats, but he refused due to the women and children still on the Titanic and urged his wife to go without him. Ida refused by responding, "We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go." Eyewitnesses testified, "It was the most remarkable exhibition of love and devotion." The couple was last seen holding hands while sitting in deck chairs before a wave washed them away into the freezing water of the sea.
Isidor's body was found, Ida's was never recovered.
When the story of Ida, Isidor, and their sacrifices was heard, it struck a chord with many people.
A plaque can be seen today outside of the "Macy's" department store in New York. A memorial was made for Isidor and Ida and is located in Straus park. "Straus Hall" is a freshmen residence hall in Harvard Yard that was dedicated by their three sons. "New York City Public School" was named in memory of Ida and Isidor. A cenotaph was dedicated in their memory and is located at Woodland Cemetery in the Bronx, the place Isidor was laid to rest. The inscription on it reads, "Many waters cannot quench love - neither can the floods drown it."
So, although I made this after Valentine's Day, this story is a great story to represent true love. Don't ever settle for someone who wouldn't sacrifice and give up things for you like Ida and Isidor did for each other.
The actual man's name was Isidor Straus. He was born February 6, 1845, and was the first of five children. When the American Civil war started, Isidor signed up to be a Confederate soldier, but was turned down. After the war, he and his father, Lazarus Straus, started a business importing china, porcelain, etc. in New York. His brother, Nathan Straus, persuaded Rowland Hussey Macy to let them open a store in the basement of his "R.H Macy & Co." store.
In 1871, Isidor married Ida Blun. Ida had been born on February 6, 1849 and was the fifth of seventh children. Ida and Isidor had seven children. One, Clarence Elias Straus, died in infancy.
While Isidor served as a U.S. Congressman in 1894 to 1895, the couple faithfully wrote letters to each other every day. In 1896, Nathan and Isidor gained full rights to "R.H. Macy & Co." store.
In the winter of 1911, the couple had spent time together in Europe. When they decided to go back home, they chose the Titanic ship instead of the ship they had originally chose to board because all of the coal was going to the Titanic.
On April 14, 1912, the night the Titanic was sinking, Isidor was offered a spot on one of the lifeboats, but he refused due to the women and children still on the Titanic and urged his wife to go without him. Ida refused by responding, "We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go." Eyewitnesses testified, "It was the most remarkable exhibition of love and devotion." The couple was last seen holding hands while sitting in deck chairs before a wave washed them away into the freezing water of the sea.
Isidor's body was found, Ida's was never recovered.
When the story of Ida, Isidor, and their sacrifices was heard, it struck a chord with many people.
A plaque can be seen today outside of the "Macy's" department store in New York. A memorial was made for Isidor and Ida and is located in Straus park. "Straus Hall" is a freshmen residence hall in Harvard Yard that was dedicated by their three sons. "New York City Public School" was named in memory of Ida and Isidor. A cenotaph was dedicated in their memory and is located at Woodland Cemetery in the Bronx, the place Isidor was laid to rest. The inscription on it reads, "Many waters cannot quench love - neither can the floods drown it."
So, although I made this after Valentine's Day, this story is a great story to represent true love. Don't ever settle for someone who wouldn't sacrifice and give up things for you like Ida and Isidor did for each other.
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