Feb 22nd 2011 is a day that no Christchurch person wants to remember but it is also a day that every Christchurch person feels they need to remember. That was the day when a 6.3 earthquake near the central city, caused many buildings to collapse. 18 people died in one building and 115 in the CTV building. 28 people died in the street from buildings that collapsed on top of them. 8 people died in buses when buildings collapsed on top of them. Some died from rocks which fell from the Port Hills. In total, 185 people died that day or soon afterwards as a result of the earthquake.
A Memorial Service is planned from midday in Hagley Park. The names of all 185 people who died will be read out. Then at 12.51pm, the time of that earthquake, there will be two minutes silence.
At the end of the service, 185 Monarch butterflies will be set free.
Later in the afternoon, the people who risked their lives to rescue others will receive a bravery award.
Grammar
This is written about a future event, an event that will happen tomorrow. Can you re-write the last three paragraphs in the past? Start this way: A Memorial Service was held …
Questions
If you lived in Christchurch, would you attend this service?
What do you think is the best way to remember the victims of the earthquake?