The sinking of the RMS Titanic is one of history's most well-known tragedies. The ill-fated voyage, the immense loss of life, and the subsequent tales of heroism and despair have captivated people for generations. If you're curious about the exact date this monumental disaster occurred, let's dive into the details and uncover the timeline of the Titanic's final hours. So, let's get straight to the answer: The RMS Titanic sank in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912. This single date marks the end of a luxurious voyage and the beginning of one of the most enduring maritime tragedies in history. But there's so much more to the story than just a date. The events leading up to the sinking, the timeline of the disaster, and the aftermath are all crucial pieces of understanding the full scope of the Titanic tragedy. Let's explore the timeline in greater detail. The Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912, embarking on its maiden voyage to New York City. For the first few days, the voyage was smooth and uneventful. Passengers enjoyed the opulent accommodations, fine dining, and social activities aboard the world's largest and most luxurious ship. However, on the night of April 14, disaster struck. At 11:40 PM (ship's time), a lookout spotted an iceberg directly in the Titanic's path. Despite attempts to steer the ship away, the Titanic collided with the iceberg on its starboard side. The impact caused significant damage below the waterline, breaching several compartments. As water rushed in, the Titanic began to sink. The timeline of the sinking is crucial for understanding the sequence of events and the challenges faced by passengers and crew. Following the collision, the crew quickly assessed the damage and realized the severity of the situation. Lifeboats were prepared, and distress signals were sent out. However, the process was slow and chaotic, exacerbated by a lack of clear communication and insufficient lifeboat capacity for all passengers and crew. The first lifeboat was lowered into the water around 12:40 AM on April 15, about an hour after the collision. As the ship continued to sink, more lifeboats were launched, but many were not filled to capacity. The limited number of lifeboats meant that many passengers and crew were left behind as the Titanic slipped beneath the waves. At 2:20 AM, just over two and a half hours after the collision, the Titanic broke apart and sank completely. The survivors in the lifeboats were left to wait in the frigid waters, hoping for rescue. The rescue ship RMS Carpathia arrived at the scene around 4:00 AM and began picking up survivors from the lifeboats. By morning, the Carpathia had rescued approximately 705 survivors and set course for New York City. The news of the Titanic's sinking spread quickly, sending shockwaves around the world. The immense loss of life and the tragic circumstances of the disaster captured the attention of people everywhere. The sinking of the Titanic led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, including mandatory lifeboat drills, improved communication systems, and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic. The legacy of the Titanic continues to endure, with countless books, movies, and documentaries exploring the stories of those who were on board. The disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the human cost of tragedy.

The Fateful Night: A Detailed Timeline

To truly understand when the Titanic sank, it's essential to delve into the detailed timeline of that fateful night. Let's break down the key events that unfolded, painting a clearer picture of the disaster. The night of April 14, 1912, began like any other for the passengers and crew of the RMS Titanic. The weather was calm, and the sea was relatively smooth. However, as the night progressed, the temperature dropped, and the risk of encountering icebergs increased. At 11:40 PM (ship's time), lookout Frederick Fleet spotted an iceberg directly in the Titanic's path. He immediately rang the warning bell and notified the bridge. Despite efforts to steer the ship away, it was too late. The Titanic struck the iceberg on its starboard side, causing significant damage below the waterline. The collision was not initially felt strongly by many passengers, but the crew quickly realized the severity of the situation. Captain Edward Smith was informed of the damage, and he ordered an inspection to assess the extent of the breach. It soon became clear that the Titanic was taking on water rapidly and would eventually sink. At 12:05 AM on April 15, Captain Smith ordered the lifeboats to be prepared and for distress signals to be sent out. The crew began the process of waking passengers and instructing them to put on their life jackets and assemble on the deck. However, there was confusion and a lack of clear communication, which added to the chaos. The first lifeboat was lowered into the water around 12:40 AM. As the lifeboats were launched, there was a focus on getting women and children into the boats first, adhering to the